AIRMAN'S DEATH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22428, 26 May 1936, Page 9

AIRMAN'S DEATH

CAUSE OF THE CRASH ' 4 STALLING OF ENGINE TRIBUTES TO MR. O'HARA By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received May 25, 9.25 p.m.) BYDNEY, May 25 The stalling of the engine of Mr. W. M. O'Hara's aeroplane is believed to have been the cause of its tragic nose-dive yesterday. The machine was completely destroyed, even aluminium parts of th 6 engine being reduced to small heaps of powder resembling powdered chalk. A number of lantern views of New Zealand scenes were found about 15ft- from the wreckage. The Air Accident Investigation Committee lias sent a special representative to the scene of the fatality. Many tributes to the deceased flier were paid to-day by leading airmen in Sydney. The aviation correspondent of the Sun describes him as a most likeable and friendly airman, ever ready to do a good turn, incapable of ill-will and always genial. "Everyone at Mascot liked him," says the writer. "Probably this friendliness led to his undoing. He would have leaned away from the instrument board to wave to his friends. As he climbed into the air the speed of the machine would have slipped back and before he would have been aware of it the aeroplane would have come to a critical stalling angle where there would be no longer sufficient flying speed for a lift. Then the aileron control would go and the machine would fall. He would have struggled to flatten out, but would have been too near the ground to regain control. Then the crash." The Union Bank and the Shell Company are handling the arrangements on behalf of Mr. O'Hara's relatives in New Zealand to whom his remains are to be sent for burial.

DECEASED'S BURIAL GRAVE IN THAMES VALLEY REMAINS TO BE SENT BACK [from our own correspondent] HAMILTON. Monday On receipt of information this morning of the death in Australia of the well-known airman, Mr. W. M. O'Hara, a meeting of the executive of the Waikato Returned Soldiers' Association was held, and it was decided to approach the Government with a view to having the body brought back to New Zealand. A deputation subsequently waited upon Mr. C. A. Barrell, M.P. for Hamilton, who communicated by telephone with the Prime Minister, Mr. M. J. Savage, at Wellington. "When the association's request had been explained, Mr. Savage replied giving the executive his authority to make the necessary arrangements. The body i will be interred at Wharepoa, Thames ; Valley, near the home of Mr. O'Hara's ! mother.