AEROPLANE MISSING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22367, 14 September 1934, Page 10

AEROPLANE MISSING

CRASH ON MOUNTAIN FEARED POSSIBLE LOSS OF LIFE {Per United Press Association) NEW PLYMOUTH, September 13. The crash of a Moth aeroplane on the northern slopes of Mount Egmont or on the shoulder of the Ponakai Range, with the possible loss of two lives, is feared. The machine left before midday on a photographic expedition, but did not return. The occupants are:— STANLEY GREEN, a New Plymouth Aero Club pilot. JAMES AUSTIN, photographer. • Both men reside in New Plymouth. Both are single. No trace of the men or the machine has yet been found. The plane loft the aerodrome at Bell Block with three hours’ supply of petrol, and was expected back within about two hours. Following recent heavy falls, the enow extends low into the foothills, and it was this that tempted the photographer on the expedition. As the afternoon advanced and the plane did not return, anxiety was felt at the aerodrome, and other Taranaki aerodromes were communicated with, but they had no information. Late in the afternoon, two trappers, Mr Burrows and his son, emerged from the mountain reserve bush, stating that they had heard an aeroplane crash in precipitous hush country above the Kaimiro dis•trict. One immediately entered the bush to search, while the other made for a telephone to inform the police and the Aero Club. The Alpine Club, the Aero Club 'and the police immediately set to work to organise search parties, the groundwork for which is always in existence, but darkness had descended before any extensive search could be made. The rough nature of the country and the density of the bush rendered wider operations in pitch darkness utterly futile and dangerous. Fully equipped parties will be waiting on the edge of the forest to start operations with the dawn. The blizzard of the last few days has abated, and the weather is clear and bright, but very cold, with snow down to a low altitude. The crash possibly occurred at an altitude between 4000 feet and 5000 feet. As soon as the light permits in the morning aeroplanes will make a search.