PLANE CRASH

Hokitika Guardian, 5 December 1932, Page 6

PLANE CRASH

MACHINE BADLY DAMAGED.

McGREGOR SERIOUSLY INJURED

(Per Press Association Copyright.)

PALMERSTON N., December 5When Squadron-Leader McGregor crashed at the Manawatu Aero Club’s pageant at Wilson Aerodrome on Saturday afternoon, the famous airman received severe head and back injuries, The full extent of which are not yet Ascertained. McGregor is on the seriously ill list, and his condition is unchanged. ' When the mishap occurred, the airman was engaged in a balloon bursting competition. One -balloon was being driven by a tricky wind, and he was pursuing” it at a height of 120 feet McGregor,apparently put his engine into a short dive and half roll with the intention of catching the balloon on the propeller as he rose. To the horror of the crowd the machine went into, a flat dive. It skimmed a barbed wire fence by a narrow margin, and landed in a field near the aerodromes at a high speed. The impact threw the machine along the ground for 20 yards before coming to rest. McGregor was bleeding profusely from a 'large gash in the head, and another across the eve, and he was removed to, the'hospital immediately. The machine was badly , damaged, the wings being crumpled, the propellor splintered, and the under-car-riage totally wrecked. Squadron-Leader Wilkes, Directoi of Air Services, yesterday held a formal inquiry into the accident. It means a severe loss to the Manawatu Club, which is now without a plane at a time when a large number of , pupils are being trained.