NEW ’PLANE CRASHES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 77, 28 February 1938, Page 8

NEW ’PLANE CRASHES.

MISHAP AT HOBSONVILLE. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Feb. 27. While on a flight at Hobsonville yesterday morning a new Tiger Moth aeroplane piloted by Flight Lieutenant Anthony G. Lester, officer commanding the Hobsonville air base, crashed into the water near the wharf and was extensively damaged. The officer, who was flying solo, received injuries to his head, and he was picked up by Mr A. J. Codings, who happened to be in the vicinity at the time in his launch. The mishap occurred five minutes after the machine had taken off on its initial flight. The Tiger Moth is a new type of training machine in New Zealand and it was assembled at Hobsonvilie only last week. . A good take-off was made and the mishap occurred when Flight-Lieutenant Lester was circling around the aerodrome gaining height. As soon as the machine struck the water, Mr Collins took his launch to the spot where it crashed and found Mr Lester had extricated himself from the machine, which rapidly submerged. Mr Lester was taken to hospital suffering from a severe scalp wound, also head and rib injuries. His condition is serious. The machine, extensively damgaed, was later salvaged.