Crashed Into Sea

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 75, 30 March 1936, Page 8

Crashed Into Sea

1400 Feet

(Special to ."Times.”) WELLINGTON, March 28. The air pageant at the Rongotai aerodrome this afternoon was marred by the tragic and terrible death of Pilot-Officer J. S. ("Scotty”) Fraser, parachutist, when his ’chute failed to open and he crashed into the sea from a height of fourteen or fifteen hundred feet. In accordance with flying tradition the pageant continued, and, in fact, a great many of the thousands of spectators did not realise that such a tragedy had happened, for little more was seen by most on the aerodrome than a white speck dropping from the aeroplane and a column of water as the parachutist struck.

The pageant had little more than ’ opened. There had been a fly-past by the dozen or so machines taking part in the demonstration and a “shootingup’. of the ground, a very spectacular exhibition, and while the last of the machines wero still in the air PilotOfficer Eraser took off, with his parachute pack in a Wellington Club JMoth, ZK-ADP, piloted by Pilot-Oflicer Iv.Smith, of the local club. The item, which was only the second parachute jump made at Pongotai, was announced through the loud-speakers and eyes were turned out over the bay to the climbing machine. A light southerly

’exception of those immediately• detailed for rescue work, remained, on dutj and the following item on tlie pageant programme was proceeded with at'once. ■ l’hose nearer the seafront rushed down to and along the sea drive, some thousands gathering in a matter of minutes. Apparently from nowhere members of life-saving clubs and others, prominent among whom was Mr. W. Mault, of tho Cook Strait Airways staff, appeared and dashed into the surf, w T hich Was running heavily and greatly delayed the surfmen in their efforts to reach the spot whero “Scotty’’ Fraser had fallen.

wind was blowing and, in order to land well plear of the northern boundary of the aerodrome and the street power lines, the parachutist timed his jump well out in the bay. 1

An emergency wagon was rushed from the aerodrome to the beach. As the rescuers, some of whom rushed into the watter in most of their clothes, struggled towards the shore, it

He had been making jumps at many aerodromes in New Zealand for the past several years and had made a particularly thrilling feature of delayed openings. ,

could be seen that the group about the parachutist were heavily Handicapped by the drag of the parachute, at which other swimmers were working. When foothold was gained the parachute was

As the white-clad body fell from the aeroplane it was thought that again he was thrilling the spectators with a long-delayed opening, though the height was not great, not above 1500 feet. The fall increased in velocity and when it was half completed it was plain that something had gone wrong. The parachutist disappeared from view behind the sand hill ridge in the last few feet of his terrific fall and immediately a great column of spray and water shot up. A gasp came from the spectators. The aeroplane and also another roar cd down above the spot, perhaps 400 yards offshore, and a big section of tho crowd rushed to the beach. The pilots and officials of the pageant, with the

quickly hauled in and detached from the body. The deceased was carried to the van and quickly removed from the scene. The paraehuto was folded and has been placed under lock in the Aero Club buildings in order that it may be carefully examined in an endeavour to ascertain the cause of the tragedy. Possible Cause of Tragedy. Thero is reason to believe that the parachute failed to open through some oversight in tho final steps of packing. After the parachute is tightly' folded, in a specified and very accurate fashion, the folds, which otherwise would spring apart, are held together by a temporary fastening band, which must be removed before the canvas pack is

“ Scotty ” Fraser’s Tragic Death

Horrified Crowd Sees Parachutist Drop

closed about it and tbo folded-over flaps are held in place by the release-pin. To the pin is attached a flexible steel cable and release ring, whicli the parachutist pulls to throw open the flaps ot the pack and so expose the parachute to the rush of air. It was said, though, quite unofficially, that the temporary wire band to keep the tightly pressed folds together was not removed when the canvas was drawn over the parachute. If this was so it was, of course, not possible for the parachute to open. So far distant was the aeroplane when the jump commenced that it was not possiblo to bo sure whether the parachute opened in any part or not. It was the impression of the reporter that some of the light envelope did appear to open, but of that he could not be at all sure. That tho parachute was open when the body was brought ashore cannot well be any proof that it did open in tho air, for the impact with the water would be such as to burst the canvas container. Pilot-Officer Fraser had suffered terrible injuries to the head and face, for at the velocity at which he fell in the last few feet the surface of the water would present almost a solid body. The depth of water would not be great at that distance from the shore. As the pageant was not interrupted for more than a few moments the majority of tire spectators, even those who rushed to the beach, believed that the parachutist had sustained no more than injuries from which he would recover. Some of tho rescuers were thorouglily exhausted by their heavy struggle in the surf and one of them, Mr. Mault, it is believed, had so strained himsell in the dash to the beach and his efforts in the water, as to require medical attention. It is probably not an exaggeration to say that “Scotty” Fraser had made several hundred jumps, nearly all of them to assist at aero pageants, and in that way to assist in interesting the people of New Zealand in aviation. It was tragic indeed that his death should have taken place at a pageant which was being held to raise funds for the widow and children of another airman who had given much for aviation in this Dominion—Squadron-Leader M. C McGregor.

FAMILIAR FIGURE IN PALMERSTON NORTH

Small in stature but largo of heart "Scotty” Fraser made himself a favourite iu Palmerston North because of his enthusiasm iu all matters pertaining to aviation, his cheerfulness and his intrepid spirit. For a period he resided in the city and carried on the occupation of salcsmaq, later transferring to Levin. He secured the distinction of being the first parachute jumper over Milson airport and on many occasions thrilled crowds with his daring jumps. Only a w’eek ago—also at a benefit pageant for the late Squadron-Leader M. C. McGregor—he did a series of jumps and ou this occasion a local cinematographer recorded his daring leap from a plane for the Fifty Thousand Club.

“Scotty” was among the host of admirers who knew tho late SquadronLeader McGregor personally. He called this great aviator “Mac,” which is a distinction. He died when taking part in a pageant in memory of his “pal” and he, too, will be remembered.

The late Mr. Fraser learned his ’chute jumping from Lieutenant H. Qvillcr, a fine type of Norwegian, who also met his death when tho parachute he w r as using failed to open at Oamaru several years ago. “Scotty” recently procured a new ’chute and took a great pride in it. With Mr. Sellars he made dual jumps at Palmerston North and, incidentally 7 , first tried it out locally. Then he was prepared to expect trouble but naturally after using it so successfully over a period, he ■would not anticipate that -the ’chute — his pride—would eventually cause his death. Deceased had made descents with many pilots, including 80 from the late Mr. McGregor’s planes.