SEARCH FOR PLANE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 261, 2 October 1940, Page 7

SEARCH FOR PLANE.

EFFORTS STILL FRUITLESS.

WELLINGTON, Oct. 2. Machines of the Ko.yal New Zealand Air Force commenced a search at dawn yesterday for tne Airspeed Oxford monoplane which is believed to nave been forced down in the Mokan district, north of New Plymouth, on Monday afternoon. Up to 5 p.m. there was nothing to report.- The search will be continued.

Two Oxfords from ±iob6onviilc yesterday carried out a parallel track search from Hobsonville to New Plymouth, landing at the R.N.Z.A.F. station, New Plymouth. From there Air Headquarters; Wellington, was telephoned for further instructions, and the two Oxfords were orderedrto continue on round the coast to the R.N.Z.A.F. station, Ohakea, where they landed at 11.35 a.m. without discovering any trace of the missing aircraft. *

An aerial search also began from Ohakea at dawn, when three D.H.B9’a were ordered to search the area between Ohakea and New Pi.ymoutli from' the coast to visibility distance inland. These aircraft reported on their return that visibility was so bad that a search over land was impossible. They had therefore searched the coast as far as New Plymouth and back to Ohakea. . ' , , • The search was resumed at -midday, when visibility conditions were reported to be improving, Two Oxfords, two DHB9’s, and one Vincent left Ohakea,. The Oxfords were ordered to search an area about 15 miles, in from the coast from Ohakea as far as Strathmore, and then onward along the route to Hobsonville. The two DHB9’s were ordered to search over the sea between Patea and the Rangitikei River, while tne , Vincent -carried out a search along the coastline between Wanganui and Patea.