DRAMA IN THE AIR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20721, 14 November 1930, Page 11

DRAMA IN THE AIR.

PILOT'S GRIM FIGHT. DEMENTED WOMAN'S ACT. EFFORT TO LEAP TO EARTH. [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] SYDNEY, Nov. G. When a woman on Saturday afternoon B last tried to leap from an aeroplane thafc . was Hying 1000 ft. above the Mascot aerodrome she became the principal figure t in a drama of the air almost without t, parallel in the history of aviation. Dis--2 appointed in a love affair, she seems to ) have chosen this means of putting an end t to her life, but she did not count on the • tremendous courage and resource of tho f pilot, Captain Basil Daish, of Melbourne. The woman went to the aerodromo and s in the ordinary coursp' of things paid £1 ' —the usual a brief ride over tho city and back. Slio was given a ! flying cap and goggles, and before very long she was whirring through the air 5 at a great pace. The flight would have taken about 15 minutes, but tho aeroplane had not been in the air long when the woman tried to leap from the machine while it was still circling around above tho Mascot aerodrome. Although he w«js taken^completely by surprise, the pilot acted quickly. His passenger was in front of him, and lie received the shock of his lifo when ho saw her dramatically rise to her feel. Seeing that the woman evidently intended to jump into space, Captain Daish likewise sprang to his feet. It is believed that the woman also attempted to interfere with the controls and the pilot soon realised that it was not a time for half measures. Only ' quick work on his part could save a. crash, and above all ho had to beep control of tho machine. This assured, he put into operation the drastic plan he had formulated. lie struck the woman a heavy blow under tho chin, rendering her unconscious, and slio dropped back at once on to the floor of the cockpit. Tho pilot, who had kept his nerve in a remarkable manner throughout, took the aeroplane quickly to earth and notified the officials what had happened, while ho was supposed to be giving a joy ride. The woman was still unconscious when tho machine reached the ground and the police and the ambulance were notified. She soon recovered, however, and lapsed into a slato of hysterics. It is stated also that the police found a bottle of poison in one of her pockets. She was first of al! taken to hospital, where she was treated for the nervous condition. In tho hospital she maintained a stolid silence and would not give her name or any details that would help the police to establish her identity. She laughed and sobbed bitterly iu turn and was-' finally removed to the reception house. r 'lelling the story ot this remarkable flight, Captain Daish said he first of all 1 noticed that the safety belt that had been . attached to his passenger was undone. "I then saw her rise in her seat," ho continued, " and T. realised that she was ' determined to jump overboard- As I leaned forward and grabbed the collar of 2 her heavy coat the machine skidded , badly. I kept one hand on tho con- > trols and the woman fought like one j possessed. The grim struggle for life—and death—went on, and when the woman 5 broke free her heavy coat was wrapped f about my face. I was flying blind with a vengeance. Then the blow I made at hor chin steadied her and she fell back to the floor of the aeroplane. They told me afterwards that they had never seen me make such a fast landing. I have never before had occasion to. I hope X will never have another trip like that one." '