Ignition Switched off in Mid-air

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 14, 18 January 1937, Page 7

Ignition Switched off in Mid-air

Accidental and Unconscious PROBABLE CAUSE OF RECENT CRASH Per Press Association. NEW PLYMOUTH, Last Night. The possibility that the forced land w ing of tho Western Federated Flying Club’s aeroplane in the Kaimanawa ranges on January 8 was caused by the accidental and unconscious turning off of the ignition switches is advanced by Flying-Officer lan Keith, tho Western Federated Club instructor, who returned to New Plymouth last night after an arduous journey of inspection to the wrecked plane. Mr. Keith says experts cannot otherwise account for the failure of the engine as when the machine was reached by the expedition the engine functioned perfectly in three experiments. 1 trials. Mr. Keith says the experts are inclined to the theory that the ignition switches may have accidentally been turned off in midair by the pilot’s arm or a piece of loose clothing. Weight is lent to this theory by the position of the switches on the wrecked machine and the pilot’s explanation of his actions after the engine stopped. Beyond this indication of opinion Mr. Keith declines to issue a statement pending an official inquiry.

The wrecked aeroplane was located and the passenger and pilot emerged from the bush last Mondoy. An expedition comprising Air. B. Haybittle, Government representative, Mr. W. Potaka (pilot of the wrecked plane), Mr. K. Martin (New Plymouth Aero Club), Mr. A. Salter (Western Federated ground engineer), Mr. C. Arthur and Master Eric Gibbs (Karioi) and Flying-Officer Keith entered the bush from the Desert road with packhorses. The expedition was led by Messrs Arthur and Potaka who know the country well. The journey to and from the plane was most arduous, the progress being only two miles an hour. The party camped the first night several miles upstream after crossing the Waipakihi river 70 times. The machine was reached after three and ahalf hours’ journey on the second day, the river being crossed another 40 times. After a careful inspection of the machine and three successful trials of the engine movable parts of value were removed and carried out, some on horses and some by hand. The expedition then had another gruelling journey in drenching rain. A party of expert bushmen will endeavour to bring out the remaining parts, including the engine, in the near future. Mr. Keith gives unqualified praise for the unstinted generosity and assistance given, by the settlers of the isolated country in which the search was made, also to Mr. Arthur’s able leadership of the expedition.