THE AIR MAILER

Inangahua Times, 23 December 1931, Page 3

THE AIR MAILER

MEETS WITH A MISHAP IN A PRIVATE FLIGHT CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE DONE (United Press Assn—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) LONDON, December 21. The Southern Star, piloted by Allen, accompanied by two passengers, including Mrs Cooper, of Southampton, flying at Hamble, after reconditioning at Croydon in readiness for the mail flight tomorrow, lost its way in the mist and made a forced landing in a field at Crockep Hill, Rent, striking trees and damaging the propellor and undercarriage. The occupants were uninjured, hut were slightly shaken.

An eye witness says: It would have heen a perfect landing if the trees had not intervened. The Southern Star lies in an orchard. UNDERCARRIAGE SMASHED A later report says: The undercarriage was smashed and one engine half buried in the ground and the wings are out of alignment. / Police are guarding the wreckage throughout the night. Engineers will dismantle it tomorrow for repairs, which will entail complete rebuilding. The Post Oflice has not yet arranged for the mails to go by another plane. Kingsford Smith had an informal talk with the Air Ministry, hut it is understood that owing to the absence of Colonel Brinsmead, no further concrete plan for a regular Anglo-Austra-Uan air service was formulated.

FURTHER PARTICULARS LONDON, December 21. Allen, in the * Southern Star, left Hamble at 3.30 this afternoon with two hours’ petrol, normally ample for a short flight. Darkness was setting in. He flew into the murk in which it was impossible to see Neon Beacon, Croydon, or the flares reaching 1200 feet, which were fired when he did not appear.

Allen thereupon flew in an easterly direction in order to come in on the continental route.

He informed Smith by telephone that he was flying above Orpington and that the petrol was fast being consumed. He decided to land on the first seemingly level patch, hut discovered it was an orchard into which he crashed, humping into a fairly large tree. He shut off the engines, which were intact.

The wheels were torn off, the undercarriage smashed, fuselage strained and pierced by a small tree, and the propellor broken. Allen assured Smith that there was no major damage and the wings were intact. Asked if he were hurt, Allen replied: 4 4 You cannot hurt a Scotsman, except his feelings.’* Smith hopes that the delay will not exceed four or five days. He is determined to get the air mail to Australia.” • -I am never free from worries when on the ground and will he glad when I am able to rest and recover in the air.”

Kingsford Smith Delayed Mail Held Up Reed 8 30 »^ ndon>Dec22 Kingsford Smith’s return has been delayed indefinitely. No other machine is available, and he must await until repairs are completed. The damage apparently is more severe than at first tbonght. Fending the decision of the Host Office, the delay is bold.ng up 70,000 letters addressed to Australia aDd New Zealand.