'PLANES CRASH

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 24 February 1931, Page 5

'PLANES CRASH

TWO MOTHS NEAR CHRISTCHURCH BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS NO ONE INJURED (By Telegraph—Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. Two Air Force Moth ’planes returning from the Otago Aero Club's pageant, one piloted by Wing-Comman-der S. Grant-Dalton Director of Air Services, and the other by Staff Sergeant S. Simpson, chief mechanic of Wigram Aerodrome, crashed at Silverton station twelve miles from Geraldine yesterday. Both machines were damaged, one fairly extensively. The mishap apparently was caused through the ’planes striking an air pocket. It is stated that the atmospheric conditions were exceptionally bad at the time, with lightning and thunder and low clouds, and that the machines were forced to the ground without warning. They landed almost simultaneously on rough ground a quarter of a mile from the homestead of Mr J. N. H. Tripp. The wooden Moth piloted by Sergeant Simpson had its undercarriage totally wrecked and the propeller smashed. A portion of the undercarriage was forced up through the pilot’s cockpit and it is remarkable that the occupant was not injured. The machine is now being dismantled prior to transportation to Wigram for repairs. The other machine under the control of Wing Commander Dalton was not greatly damaged, and it is hoped after repairs to fly it to Christchurch. There was a passenger in each of the ’planes but no one was injured. The machines apparently were making for Christchurch, but it is difficult to account for their location at the time of the mishap, as they would have to make a wide detour to be over Silverton. Wing Commander Grant-Dalton leftlater for the North.