AIR GIRL’S AUSTRALIA FLIGHT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21982, 17 June 1933, Page 16

AIR GIRL’S AUSTRALIA FLIGHT

SECOND ATTEMPT IN SEPTEMBER CAUSE OF HER CRASH. —.— i (From Ode Own Correspondent.) LONDON, May 12, Miss Jean Batten (Auckland), whose attempt to fly from London to Australia last month ended in a crash near Karachi, India, has returned to London and is making plans for another attempt in September when the monsoons are over. Her failure on the first attempt seems to have been due to sheer bad luck. She was piloting a fine machine previously, the property of the Prince of Wales, and now belonging to Mr V. H. Doree, of Edgware. It had probably gone without serious trouble since it was made. Suddenly on this particular journey its engine went wrong, and put an end to the young New Zealander’s adventure. She was just COO yards away from the Karachi aerodrome when the engine stopped. Later examination has shown that the engine had developed a major fault. Miss Batten had to come to earth immediately. The road was the only place to land. She alighted successfully, but there was a cart on the road, and, in order to avoid it, she steered to one side of the road. One of the wheels hit a stone pillar, and the machine turned a somersault. Miss Batten was quick enough to get her head down in the cockpit, and by so doing probably saved herself from serious injury. The machine was taken to Karachi aerodrome, where it was found to be badly damaged. Mr Doree, the owner, has had a report from the experts, and he is still considering whether it is worth while having the plane sent back to London for repairs. During the summer months Miss Batten intends to pilot a commercial machine for passenger “ flips ” at seaside resorts. This is a fairly profitable undertaking, and she hopes to get back some of the money she has lost on the flight, besides earning enough to make her second attempt in September.