’PLANE CRASHES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 108, 6 April 1934, Page 6

’PLANE CRASHES

accident at milson. PILOT’S REMARKABLE ESCAPE. Developing a steep semi-spm after . apparently stalhng at a height or 200 teet, zn. Moth ’plane ZK—ABA, crashed in a spectacular dive to earth m a field just south of the Milson aerodrome at 7.30 a-m to-day. The pilot, Mr J. W. Rodder, who was the sole occupant of the machine, had a remarkable escape suffering only a few abrasions and shock.

The ’plane, which is powered by a Gipsv 111 engine is owned.by the Manawatu Aero Club, and -he puo. has done four or fire hours solo flying. He had made a short flight and was descending fairly slowly for a Practice landing when the accident occurred, due, it is believed, to loss of flying Sp Getting into a wide spiral spin, the machine came straight down and hit the ground with terrific force making a hole about a foot deep where the nose struck. .It then bounced back and stood on its nose at an ang.e oi 80 degrees, being nearly perpendicular with the front of the fuselage crushed in, the wing edges resting on the ground, and the tail practically straight up in the air. Dazed, but almost unhurt, the pilot climbed out of the wrecked interior losing no time as he noticed petrol leaking from a pipe above him. 1 fie propeller was smashed to matchwoou, the engine almost being torn out or its frame. The wings were crumple*! and the fuselage fairly extensively damaged, the front seat and the instrument board being tom out by the force of the impact. Had there been an occupant of the front cockpit, he would have been killed instantly. Mr Rodden, who was thrown lorward when the machine hit the ground struck his face on the cowling and received abrasions about the eyes. Seen later at his home by a “Standard” representative, he was bruised and had suffered a little shock. He said he considered he had had a miraculous escape. The ’plane, which, though badly damaged, is stated to be repairable, and was being dismantled this morning, is the same machine as that which crashed with Squadron-Leader M. C. McGregor, the Manawatu Aero Club's instructor, at the controls in December. 1932. It was repaired at a cost of £3BO and had been put into commission again last June.