FLYING TRAGEDY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22141, 21 June 1935, Page 10

FLYING TRAGEDY

WOMAN KILLED CRASH AT WAIHO .FIRE FOLLOWS IMPACT PILOT SEVERELY BURNED LOSS OF NEW AEROPLANE [by TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT~| GREYMOUTH, Thursday A flying tragedy occurred this morning at Waiho, when an aeroplane crashed and burst into flames at the landing ground at tho Franz Josef Hostel, tho passenger being killed and the pilot seriously burtied. The victims are:— Killed Mrs. William Newman,^aged 58, of Hokitika. «■ ' Injured Mr. Harold Lawn, of Hokitika; severe burns and shock. The machine was burned. The aeroplane, piloted by Mr. Lawn and with Mrs. Newman as passenger, left the Hokitika aerodrome at 9.30 on a pleasure flight occupying less than an hour. The landing ground at Waiho has been receiving attention to the surface and Mr. Lawn, who knew this, flew low over the ground to gain an idea of the surface for landing. Apparently satisfied with the survey, he went for altitude prior to landing. Efforts to Save Passenger When he was in the act of turning into the wind and was about 300 ft. to 400 ft. up, it appeared that the controls jammed. The machine careered above the landing ground and cleared two wire fences, before crashing on its nose and one wing with great force among some stumps in an adjoining paddock. It immediately burst into flames. Those engaged at the landing ground rushed to the scene, and found Mr. Lawn, with his clothing in flames, attempting to get to the passenger's cockpit, which was enveloped in flames. The intense heat made it impossible for anyone to reach Mrs. Newman, who was practically incinerated, though it is considered she died from concussion immediately. Mr. Lawn, who was in a dazed condition, was pulled to safety, but suffered extensive burns before the flames from his clothing could be extinguished. He was conveyed by motorcar to the Hokitika Hospital. There was no hope of saving the aeroplane, and the helpers could only stand by and see jt reduced to ashes and twisted metal. Member of Well-known Family Mrs. Newman was the widow of Mr. William Newman, a member of a family well known throughout New Zealand for its association with coaching and later with motoi- transport in Westland, Nelson and Marlborough. He died three years ago. Mrs". Newman was the eldest daughter of the late Mr. James Colvin, who was member for Buller in the House of Representatives from 1899 until his death in 1919. Mr. Colvin's widow resides at Westport. Mrs. C. E. Craig, of Epsom, is a sister of Mrs. Newman. The latter's only son, Mr. Harry Newman, manages the motor service established by his father between Hokitika and the Franz Josef Glacier. Lent by government Mr. Lawn is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Lawn, of Hokitika, and nephew of Mr. F. 8., Lawn, of Greymouth. He is a qualified pilot, a holder of a B licence and a member of the West Coast United Aero Club. He has done over 100 hours' flying, and is regarded as a promising young airman. The ill-fated machine was the latest model de Havilland Gipsy Major, a twoseater of 120 horse-power. It was one of six similar machines recently imported by the New Zealand Government for loan to aero clubs and had been in service on the West Coast for a little over a month. It was lent by the Government to the West Coast United Aero Club. This is the second tragedy on the west coast, the previous ono having been that at Mount Turiwhati, near Kumara, in November, 1933, where a pilot, Mr. J. D. Ronton, and Mr. James D. Lynch, ex-Mayor of Greymouth, were killed when the aeroplane in which they were travelling crashed high up on a steep hillside.