AEROPLANE FATALITY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 155, 2 June 1937, Page 10

AEROPLANE FATALITY

DETAILS OF THE CRASH. MACHINE STRUCK A HILLOCK. Per Press Association. STRATFORD, June 2. The 'Wellington Aero Club’s Miles Hawk ’plane, when proceeding to New Plymouth crashed on a farm property four miles west of Stratford at about 10 o’clock this morning. A passenber, Mr P. J. Nathan, of Christchurch, was killed instanteously and the pilot, Mr C. D. Dunford, a pilot member of the Wellington Aero Club, holding an A enuorsed license, was removed to the Stratford Hospital suffering from a compound fracture of the left ankle and a bruised head and face. The ’plane was completely wrecked, portions being strewed over a wide area.

The occupants of a farmhouse nearby heard the crash and, on going to the ’plane, found the pilot attempting to extricate himself from the wreckage. Mr Nathan had received, shocking injuries. When a heavy fog and a strong northerly wind were encountered the pilot decided to turn back and, in poor visibility, the ’plane struck a hillock, damaging the undercarriage. The ’plane rose again, but it was out of control and travelled 300 yards, losing a wheel in a fence and portion of the propeller before it fell to pieces in a gully. The engine was found 40 feet away from the wreckage. Earlier details appear on page 9. BROTHER OF MR F. J. NATHAN. PROMINENT WELLINGTON RESIDENT. The late Mr Nathan, who was about 70 years of age, was a director of Messrs Joseph Nathan and Co. (N.Z.), Ltd.,' and the manager of the hardware department of the firm. He was the elder brother of Mr F. J . Nathan, of Palmerston North, who is at present in Australia, and Messrs C. J. and A. Nathan, who are also directors.