AEROPLANE CRASHES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18334, 26 February 1923, Page 9

AEROPLANE CRASHES.

LOSS OF TWO LIVES.

FAMOUS PILOT KILLED.

• A fatal aeroplane accident, resulting in the death of two airmen and severe injuries to three others, occurred at Stanmore, Middlesex, recently. It appears that* Major R. E. Keys, with four mechanics, was flying a De Havilland machine, when it was seen to nosedive into a field about three-quarters of a mile from the nearest house, which is Grove Farm, Stanmore. When, after some moments, • assistance reached the spot it was found that Major Keys and one mechanic were* dead, death having been . instantaneous, while three others were injured. Mr. Harding, the landlord of the Abercorn Arms. Stanmore Hill, in an interview stated that Major Keys had been staying at the Abercorn Arms since- October last. He left the hotel at 2.30 in the afternoon to fly the De Havilland machine for experimental' purposes. Another informant stated that a friend of Major Keys was fishing in the Stanmore Park, and the pilot had promised to hover over him. The machine ■ was , seen to perform a straight nose-dive, narrowly missing a hedge. It stood with its tail in the air, propeller and nose smashed to atoms. Immediately after the accident calls were made "to the police-stations at Bushey, Elstree, and Edgware, and the men had to form a search-party to locate the machine. They also brought ambulances, and the injured men were taken to Bushey Cottage Hospital. The other dead airman was Air Mechanic L. L. Arsel.

Major Keys, who was a native of Norfolk and was 23 years of age, was a wellknown military airman. He brought down a Zeppelin at Scarborough during the war, and held the D.S.O. and bar and the Flying Cross.