AIRWOMAN'S ADVENTURE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21520, 17 June 1933, Page 12

AIRWOMAN'S ADVENTURE

MISS BATTEN'S ILL-LUCK CAUSE OF THE CRASH [from our own COHRKSPOXDENTI LONDON". May 12 Miss Jean Batten, of Auckland, whoso attempt to fly from London to Australia last month ended in a crash near Karachi, India, lias returned to London and is making plans for smother attempt in September when tlio monsoons are over. Her failure on the first attempt seems to havo been duo to sheer bad luck. She was piloting a tine machine, previously tho property of the Princo of Wales, and now belonging to Mr. V. H. Doree, of Edgware. It had probably gone without serious trouble since it was mado. Suddenly, on this particular journey, its engine went wrong and put an'end to tho young New Zealander's adventure. She was just 600 yds. away from the Karachi aerodromo when tho engine stopped. Later examination has shown that tho engine had developed a major fault. Mi ss Batten had to como to earth immediately. The road was tin? only place to land. She alighted successfully, but there was a cart on the road and in order to avoid it sho steered to tho side of the road. One of the wheels hit a stone pillar and the machine turned a somersault Miss Batten was quick enough to get her head down in the cockpit and by so doing probably saved herself from serious injury. The machine was taken to Karachi aerodrome, where it was found to be badly damaged. Mr. Doree, the owner, has had a report from the exports, and he is still considering whether it is worth while having the aeroplane sent back to London for repairs. During, the summer months Miss Batten intends to pilot a commercial machine for passenger "flips" at seaside resorts. This is a fairly profitable undertaking and she hopes to get back sonio of the money-she has lost on the (light, besides earning enough to makf> her second attempt in September.