IN SNOWSTORM

Hokitika Guardian, 11 July 1935, Page 6

IN SNOWSTORM

GHAPH 1C ARRAU YE. ;•••' I- : “PANCAKING” AMONG TREES Mr \F. A. Trainer, a lecturer on psychology, whose aeroplane was wreck-: tuf near Taralga, New South M ales, in the course of a recent snowstorm, cave a graphic account of his experiences, in an interview. Leaving Sydenv at 2.10 p.m., and living at an ‘ altitude of 2500 feet, Mr Trainer reached Mittagong, where he ran into a heavy- storm. On landing there, and on being informed by telephone from Goulburn that the -.ieathei there was favourable, he, set out again at 4.10 p.m. Flying at 3400 feet, lie ran into a slight snowstorm at Bong Bong. For about 10 minutes his machine received a good deal of buffeting, and, unable to see the ground, he got off his course. Flying for some time, lie concluded—rfroui the time ol the day—that he was hearing Goulburn Heavy snow was then falling on all sides.

Mr Trainer said lie decided to “sit down” for the night, and, flying low, finally saw a house," which, lie later learned, was that of Airs McLean. He was about to make a landing when he saw some horses, which became alarmed by the sight and the noise of the aeroplane. He decided again to fly around, rather than risk colliding with them. 1 was then. 5 o’clock; visibility being very bad. Suddenly, in the bad light, a tall tree confronted him. “1‘ turned to avoid a fyee,” Air. Trainer said, “but 1 did not have enough flying speed. I knew the machine was bound to spin into the ground, but I managed to get it straight, and I pancaked down through the trees. I received a severe bump on the head, but it might have been much worse had it not been for my safety belt.” “I climbed out of the machine. Two men ran across to me from a neighbouring house, and I was hospitably entertained with a clip of tea before a roaring and welcome fire until arrangements were made for my transport to Goulburn.”