MISSING AEROPLANE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22687, 27 March 1937, Page 12

MISSING AEROPLANE

MORE WRECKAGE FOUND PATCH OF OIL ON SEA .[BY TELEGRAPH —?RESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Friday Mere aeroplane wreckage, almost certainly from the missing Gypsy Moth which is thought to have crashed into the sea off Makara on its return from the South Island aero pageant last Tuesday, has been discovered at Oliau Bay. A patch of oil observed from the air yesterday leads to the conclusion that the machine lies in the middle of the bay about 200 yards from the shore. Piloting a Wellington Aero Club machine yesterday, Mr. L. Taylor, with, Mr. J. Kirkcaldie as observer, noticed an extensive patch of oil floating offshore. It is hoped that a launch will bo able to get into the bay to-morrow to search thoroughly. Four fragments of aeroplane material, probably from the wings, and a small piece of a propeller tip, were found by land parties yesterday. There is considered to be every chance of locating the machine. The parents of the missing aviators, Mr. Percy Smith and Mr. A. Haniill, will participate in the search to-morrow.

Mr. Smith contradicted the report from New Plymouth, which stated that his son had little cross-country flying experience. His son had had considerable experienco of this branch of flying, and recently made a trip to To Kuiti, where he won the senior bombing competition at an air pageant.