PILOTS’ ORDEALS

Hokitika Guardian, 12 November 1936, Page 4

PILOTS’ ORDEALS

flight during thunderstorm

Per Press Association Copyright

iNFW PLYMOUTH, Nov HBruises on the face caused by hail were suffered Fy Mr Reardon, a New Plymouth Aero Club pilot, who was caught in a thunderstorm while flying near the aerodrome to-day. Caught in the same storm, Mr H. W. Liglitband, another club pilot, jvlio was returning from Auckland to. New Plymouth, was forced to land on the beach at Raglan. - The storm ’ started with a sudden shower of hailstones of unusual size and heavy rain followed. Lightning flashed at frequent intervals, and for about two hours in the middle of .the afternoon thunder rolled almost continuously, with heavy fain now and then.

Mr Reardon was making a practice flight in the vicinity of the aerodrome at Bell Rock, when he suddenly, flew into the hailstorm, pieces of ice of exceptional size peppered the aeroplane, and Mr Reardon’s face was battered. Tn spite of the violence of the storm, he made a safe landing in the heavy rain that followed the hail. A strange variety of weather was experienced in the afternoon. The morning was sultry, with a warm easterly breeze, but during the storm the wind swept completely round the compass. / ——————