LANDING CRASH

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 4 March 1932, Page 5

LANDING CRASH

MISHAP AT MANGERE MACHINE EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED (By Telegraph—Press Association) . AUCKLAND, 2nd March. A Moth aeroplane from the Hobsonville air base was damaged very extensively when the pilot, Flight-Lieu-tenant A. Nevill, overshot while landing at the Mangere aerodrome late on Tuesday afternoon. Although the fuselage, the two lower wiivgs, and the undercarriage of the machine were Wrecked, the pilot escaped unhurt. The ground staff at Mangere saw the Moth approach the aerodrome fairly high, and the pilot side-slipped to lose height. He was unable, however, to touch in a place that would give the machine ample room to pull up after the landing run, and the Moth skimmed across the aerodrome a few feet above the ground, losing flying speed. Near the south-west boundary of the landing field the machine dropped heavily on its wheels, and as the landing gear gave under the shock, both bottom wings were crumpled and the fuselage was broken in halves at the front Sb the cockpit. The propeller was also broken. The wreckage was later taken to the Hobsonville base for repairs. The machine was being brought to Mangere for the use of Wing-Com-mander Caldwell, who intended flying it to Wigram, where he_ will undergo a refresher course. Owing to the Government machine being damaged, Wing-Commander Caldwell was given the use of the Auckland Aero Club’s Blue Moth, in which he took off for Christchurch.