FLYING CRASH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21769, 7 April 1934, Page 12

FLYING CRASH

PILOT'S LUCKY ESCAPE MACHINE BADLY DAMAGED PALMERSTON NORTH ACCIDENT [iiV TKI.KGKAI'II OWN OOIUIESPONOKNT] PALMERSTON NORTH, Friday Tlic solo occupant of the Manawatu Aero Club's Moth aeroplane, Mr. J. \Y. Hodden, had a narrow escape from serious injury when the machine crashed from a height of 200 ft. in a field near the Milson aerodrome at 7.30 this morning. Mr. Hodden was extremely fortunate to suffer only a few abrasions and shock.

The pilot lias done four or five hours' solo flying. He had made a short flight this morning and was descending for a practice landing when the accident occurred. Developing a wide spiral spin the machine came straight down and hit the ground with terrific force, making a hole about a foot deep where the nose struck. The machine then bounced back and stood on its nose, being nearly perpendicular, with the front fuselage crushed, the wing edges resting on the ground, and the tail practically straight up in the air. Dazed but almost unhurt the pilot climbed out. Petrol Mas leaking from the pipe above him. '

The propeller was smashed to matchwood, the engine being almost torn out of the frame, the wings crumpled and the fuselage fairly extensively damaged. The front seat instrument board was torn out by the force of the impact. Had there been au occupant in the front cockpit he must have been killed. Mr. llodden, who was thrown forward when the machine bit the ground, struck his face on! the cowling and received abrasions about the eyes. Seen later at his home he was bruised and suffered from shock. He said he considered he had had a miraculous escape. The machine, which, though badly damaged, is stated to be repairable, is the one which crashed with fequad-ron-Leader M. O. McGregor, the watu Aero Club's instructor, at the controls, in December, 3932. It was repaired at a cost of £3BO and was put into commission again last June.