Smoke Poured From Flyingboat s Engine

Northern Advocate, 4 December 1947, Page 7

Smoke Poured From Flyingboat s Engine

SYDNEY, Thu. (11 a.m.).— Passengers were ordered to put on their lifebelts and were .strapped to their seats yesterday when the Tasman flyingboat New Zealand turned back to Sydn n \wth engine trouble when 400 miles off the coast. Nearly all the passengers were ill but there was no panic when it was realised that the plane was in difficulties.

The plane landed at Rose Bay. Sydney. shortly after noon. Captain 1. C. Patterson, the commander of the plane, said: "Vie left Rose Bay at 5.30 a.m. Sydney time, and two hours later descended to 200 ft because of heavy weather. "We flew under heavy rain-cloud until 8.30. when we were about 400 miles from Sydney. "Shortly afterward I noticed a bad oil leak from the inner starboard engine, and suddenly this motor began to vibrate. SMOKE POURS OUT "Smoke poured from it. I climbed to 500 ft because of heavy rain and rough conditions, feathered this motor and decided to return to Sydney. "The first message was then sent, reporting that one engine was feathered and fixing the expected arrival time at Sydney as noon. -Then we decided to jettison all weight," Captain Patterson continued. "The crew's baggage was jettisoned first and the passengers’ baggage and freight followed. We were still unable to gain height because of rough conditions. "We were down to 50ft at 8.40 and our air-speed was getting very low. After unloading the baggage and freight, however, we were able to gain height to 100 ft and hold it until we came out of heavy rain. "We then climbed to 1000 ft. We had made radio contact with Captain D. W. G. Keesing' of the flyingboat Auckland, and he joined us about 9.30." PASSENGER LIST Passengers carried by the New Zealand included Bishop Oldham, of Albany. New York, and Oldham. Others were Mcsdarnes Baikie, Colsill. Essery, Mazengaro. Marshal, Martin, McArtiiey and Turkington, Misses Baikie. Mazengnrb and Tunrkington • 3). Messrs Baldwin, Burns, Courtney, Colvill. Hanlon. Marshall. Martin. McLeod. Vinson, Webb and Weir, and Masters Colvill. Turkington _ and Woods. The crew consisted of Captain I. C. Patterson, D. 5.0.. Messrs F. Kilgour, first officer. J. Robertson, engineer, G. French, radio operator, and R. Ayson, steward, and Miss B, Morton. stewardess. WEDDING FILMS Among the freight saved from the cargo were films and photographs of the Royal wedding. An official of Tasman Empire Airways, Ltd., said 15001 b of baggage, nearly 6001 b of freight and 301 b of the company's stores were dumped. Bishop Oldham said that he lost valuable vestments, including those in which he was consecrated bishop 25 years ago. Mrs Oldham said that everyone, particularly the crew, behaved wonderfully. Her husband had prepared a paper, which had been signed by everyone, commending the crew for its wonderful spirit and behaviourLUGGAGE INSURED A message from Sydney states that a spokesman of Tasman Airways announced that the company would probably reimburse passengers for their losses and would immediately replace necessary articles. The general manager (Mr G. N. Roberts) said in Auckland last night that all passengers' luggage was insured. If the damaged engine of the RMA New Zealand could be changed in time, the aircraft was expected to fly to Auckland today, according to Tasman Empire Airways. It was announced last night that

the RMA Auckland would also make the crossing, as well as the Tasman, which flew from Auckland to Sydney yesterday. , „ , There would be no plane to Sydney today, as the fourth available aircraft was under routine inspection at Hobsonville. MESSAGES IN AUCKLAND Radio messages from the damaged aircraft were received at Musick Point, Auckland. and although the RMA New Zealand was only 400 miles from Sydney, two air-sea rescue planes were prepared, one at V/henuapai and one at Hobsonville. Whenuapai had intercepted the SOS call from the New Zealand and immediately stood by with its specially equipped Hudson, while at Hobsonville a Catalina was fuelled to full capacity. Neither aircraft was required to take-off, and both were released from readiness after about an hour. The SOS call from RMA New Zealand was heard in Auckland at 10.47 o'clock, when the accompanying message staled that the aircraft was unable to maintain height and might have to alight on the sea. Next came a request for all direc-tion-finding stations to stand by, and bearings were taken to determine the exact position of the plane. The Australian Catalina reported by radio, also heard in Auckland, that she was in the vicinity, on an exercise flight to Lord Howe Island. Shortly afterward this plane, having learned the RMA New Zealand s position, turned to intercept her, making contact at about noon, after the second Tasman flyingboat, the Auckland, had begun escorting her sister-ship back to Sydney. plane stands by The SOS was repeated at 10.59, when a signal from the New Zealand stated that she was still flying and that freight was being jettisoned. "May be able to make Sydney," the message concluded. Shortly afterward the New Zealand and the Auckland made radio contact, and arrangements were made for the Auckland, which was carrying 30 passengers, a crew of six and 5351 bof mail, to follow the crippled plane back to Sydney. The Auckland was commanded by Captain D. G. W. Keesing. Half an hour after sending her second SOS the New Zealand reported that she was holding her air-speed quite well. The message added that there was no doubt about reaching Sydney lyTwo minutes later came news that the two Tasman planes had sighted each other, and at 11.42 the New Zealand reported that freight and luggage had been jettisoned, that height was being maintained satisfactorily, and that the plane was flying at 110 knots, on three motors. The Auckland was flying in close company. DIRECTORS' RELIEF Advice of the safe alighting at Rose Bay of all three planes was received shortly after 2 o'clock, when it was possible to relax the close watch that had been kept on the aircraft's progress. The movements of the New Zealand had been followed with particular interest by directors of the company, who had assembled in Auckland for a meeting, and there was extreme relief among the whole staff when it was known that occupants and plane were safe.