Wreckage Shows Missing Plane Crashed Into Sea

Northern Advocate, 25 March 1937, Page 6

Wreckage Shows Missing Plane Crashed Into Sea

/Per Pres* Association. —Copyright.! WELLINGTON, This Day. From further pieces of wreckage cast on the shore near Makara, it seems established that the missing aeroplane returning from the aero pageant at Hokitika crashed into the sea. At nightfall last night no trace had been seen of the machine or the occupants, Mr Arthur Smith and a youth James Hamill. Because visibility was bad, the aerial search was not as intensive as it would have been otherwise, but the machine engaged found nothing to report. An earlier message said that twc Italian fishermen from North Makara, who were fishing in the vicinity of Ohau Point, where wreckage was found, saw the missing ’plane and the one piloted by Mr Plumtree between 10.30 and 11 a.m. on Tuesday. Both ’planes were flying very low and the fishermen waved to the pilots. The ’planes disappeared in the fog and their engines were heard for about 10 minutes. A little later one ’plane only returned and appeared to make off in the direction of Wellington. There was no sign of the second ’plane Returning to pick up their nets off Ohau Point, about one hour and a half later, the fishermen noticed a very strong smell of benzine coming from the water. Later, when they heard that a ’plane was missing, the fishermen made an unavailing search. Yesterday morning beach searchers found another ’plane strut and small portions of what appeared to be wings.