Fatal Crash Near Wigram

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 110, 12 May 1939, Page 6

Fatal Crash Near Wigram

Air Force Officer Killed; Two Injured ’PLANE STRIKES TREE p.r Press Association. CHRIST CHURCH, Last Night. One officer of the Royal Now Zealand Air Force was killed and two others seriously burned when a Vickers Vildebeest aeroplane crashed into a tree on the boundary of Wigram aerodrome to-night, fell to the ground and burst into flames. The machine was about to land after night flying exercises. Those involved in the crash were:— Killed. ACTING PILOT-OFFICER REGINALD JAMES McCRORIE. Injured. Pilot-Officer William Frederick Dawson, serious burns. Leading Aircraftsman George Henry West, serious burns. Mr. Dawson, who comes from Balclutha, and Mr. West, who comes from Bluff, are in the Christchurch Hospital and are both on the seriously ill list. Mr. McCrorie came from Wanganui. He was educated ut Wanganui Collegiate School and was a son of Lieuten-ant-Colonel W. S. McCrorie. He had been at Wigram for more than six months. Lieut.-Col. McCrorie was formerly Commanding Officer of the Wellington (West Coast) Regiment. Pinned Beneath Machine. An official account of the accident Is that the men were engaged on night flying training. The Vickers Vildebeest in which they were flying hit a tree on the south boundary of the aerodrome as the aeroplane was coming in to land at approximately 8.15 p.m. The three men were thrown out with the impact, but the aeroplane dived into the ground near them and burst into flames. The aeroplane fell on top of Mr. McCrorie who must have been killed instantly. The ambulance and fire fighting equipment at Wigram was immediately rushed to the spot. Nothing could be done to save Mr. McCrorie, but Mr. Dawson and Mr. West were taken in the Air Force ambulance to the Christchurch Hospital. AIR NAVIGATION REGULATIONS STIMULUS TO R.A.F. WELLINGTON, Last Night. The Air Navigation Regulations issued with to-day’s Gazette relax to a certain extent the provisions operating iu issuing licenses to flying instructors. Ttye Air Force states that it will now be possible for selected club candidates to undergo a modified course of instruction to qualify for assistant instructors’ licenses. This will counteract the recent exodus of club instructors into airways services and expanding the ranks of the Air Force.