MISHAP TO GLIDER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21167, 27 April 1932, Page 10

MISHAP TO GLIDER.

NEW MACHINE CRASHES. PILOT NOT INJURED. Extensive damage was caused to a new sail-plane, the first of its type in New Zealand, during its initial flights at the gliding site on the slopes of Mangere Mountain on Sunday. The pilot, Mr. T. Philcox, who was testing the machine, escaped with a shaking. Four or five successful flights had been made, taking off from level ground, and Mr. Philcox decided to attempt a take-off from a small knoll in the usual glider style. He was making the usual "tail down" take-off common to gliders, when one of the elevators, which are not protected by a tail-plane, struck a tussock and was wrenched off. The machine went out of control, rose about sft. and then crashed nose first, being dragged down with considerable force by the shock-cord used for launching, which was still attached.

The fuselage was almost a total wreck, while the wings were damaged to a smaller extent. The machine was taken away on a trailer and the repairs will be completed in about a month's time. The mishap was particularly unfortunate, as the joint owners of the machine, Messrs. F. C. Macdonald and T. Philcox, had constructed it in their Bpare time during the past eight months. The sailplane will be tested again as soon as the fuselage has been rebuilt and the wings repaired.