CRASH INTO SEA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23966, 16 May 1941, Page 8

CRASH INTO SEA

AIRMAN LOSES LIFE COLLISION IN SOUTH MACHINE OUT IN HALF [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Thursday It was officially announced in Wellington to-night that a collision occurred about 3 p.m. to-day between two aircraft. of the Royal New Zealand Air Force station at Blenheim while practising formation flying. The collision occurred a little distance out to sea, between White Bluff and the Awatere River mouth, north-west of Cape Campbell.

One aeroplane, piloted by LeadingAircraftman Alec Haigh, son ol Mr. A. Haigh, of Grey tow 11, fell into the sea and no trace could ho found of the pilot, who must be presumed dead. Floating wreckage was found shortly afterward by a Boyal New Zealand Ait Force launch which happened to be proceeding through Cook Strait. The other machine, piloted by Lead-ing-Aircraftman John Joseph I'ox, whose wife is Mrs. P. Fojj, of Wellington, made a forced landing on the beach. The pilot was admitted to the Wairau Hospital suffering from slight injuries and abrasions. His condition was not serious. No details are yet available, but it appears that two of three aeroplanes flying in formation collided and that the aircraft piloted by Leading-Aii-craftman Haigh was practically cut m half. A court of inquiry will be held.