THE AEROPLANE CRASH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17979, 3 January 1922, Page 4

THE AEROPLANE CRASH.

PILOT DIES IN HOSPITAL. NOSE DIVE TO GROUND. [BY TELE 0.9. APH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] CHKISTCHURCH, Sundaj. The injuries sustained by Lieutenant H. 0, Grout, who was the only occupant of the aeroplane when it crashed about two miles from Motunau on Friday morning, proved fatal and he died in the Christchurch Hospital. The machine left Kaikoura at 10 a.m, to continue the journey to Christchurch, being then in good order. When neax Motunau tbe aeroplane was 6een by residents to be travelling slowly, but at a good height. When it was above a gully something apparently went wrong with the engine and the pilot glided down to make as good a landing as possible. It is thought that the pilot in attempting to avoid this gully lost flying speed, and as a result the machine stalled and fell, .probably 30 or 40 feet. An examination of the machine after the accident showed that it had nose-dived to the ground. The aeroplane was very badly smashed. No one actually saw the crash, for when near the ground the aeroplane was hidden from the view of those watching it by a belt of trees. The aeroplane fell in a wheatfield about two miles from Motunau and some four miles from Scargill railway 6tation. Examination of the engine showed that it had developed troubla It is thought that if the aeroplane had not lost flying power Lieutenant Grout could have carried on past the gully and made a good landing. The deceased, who was 25 years of jige, went on active service with the 15th. Reinforcements. He was wounded on June 1, 1917, and after recovery he transferred to the Royal Air Force. He served with the 119 th Bombing Squadon in Prance and was discharged from the forces on July 16, ISI9. He joined the staff of the Canterbury Aviation Company three or four months ago and proved himself to be a very efficient pilot. The deoeased's parents live at Wairoa, Hawke's Bay.