ACCIDENT TO AVIATOR SCOTLAND.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 12752, 26 March 1914, Page 5

ACCIDENT TO AVIATOR SCOTLAND.

AEROPLANE REFUSES TO RISE. AND CRASHES INTO PINE TREE. MACHINE SMASHED, BUT AVIATOR ESCAPES. Tress Association.—By Telegraph. WELLINGTON, March 25. Wellington people saw the first local aeroplane flight mis afternoon,

and those who witnessed its brieJ course and thrilling termination wil' not soon forget it. For three days Mr J. W. H. Scotland, the young New Zealand aviator, had been foiled by the weather and prevented from flying. To-day the conditions seemed better, the weather being fine though overcast and only a light wind blew, but it was apparently tricky, coming up the valley from Island Bay to Athletic Park, where the aeroplane was to start. A fair crowd gathered in the Park watching with interest the mechanic putting the final touches to preparations. Then soon after 3 o'clock, conditions seeming favourable, Mr Scotland decided to start. He donned his coat and helmet and climbed into ihe seat and the engine was started. The machine was turned round and "motored" across the | ground in front of the crowd to a

corner so that a long diagonal course was available t.o enable the aviator to get a good "take off." The engine was speeded up ; th* word given and the Caudron biplane started quickly along the ground. Half way across it began to rise genny and evenly amidst applause. In a few seconds as the airman got above Berhampore it was noticed that the machine seemed to rock and jolt about in a manner alarming to the people used only to I solid earth. Then Scotland, as he ' approached higher ground on the ' western side „f Newtown Park, turn- 1 ed to the left with a steep "bank" as if intending to return. The wind 1 caught the machine, threatening to ' drive it on the houses on rising ' ground immediately ahead. The avi- I ator endeavoured to rise higher and ' succeeded in part. He was able to ' avoid a house, but could not shake off 1 the grip of the gusty wind enough to J let him get good elevation and the ' aeroplane crashed with a resounding ' noise into the top of a big pine tree ! on/the edge of Newtown Park facing ' Russell Terrace. The crash startled the crowd. There was a momentary hush and then a hurried movement toward the exits, and soon the streets leading to the scene of the accident were thronged. On arrival at Russell Terrace, however, Scotland was seen coming down the rtwid with friends. He had grasped the branch of a tree when the smash came and so saved himself from injury beyond a sprained thumb and a bit of a shaking. The machine framework was smashed and the canvas of the planes was badly ripped and torn. Both blades of the short propeller were broken off short and the wirework was twisted and tangled in the tree top. The motor was apparently undamaged and in the circumstances the airman must be congratulated on his lucky escape.