REMARKABLE ESCAPE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22826, 10 March 1936, Page 16

REMARKABLE ESCAPE

While testing a new aeroplane before Air Ministry experts. Wing-commander F. W. Stent made a remarkable parachute escape from death at Twyford, near Heading. He was flying alone in a cabin monoplane, doing spinning tests. At 10,000 ft, when he had spun the aeroplane 1.3 times, he found it was out of control and he could not correct the spin. Closed in (lie cabin. Wing-comniemler Stent bad to work desperately. He withdrew the bolts securing the cabin top, released big safety belt, climbed on the side of the aeroplane and jumped. He landed safely near Ruscombe Church. The aeroplane erased into the grounds of Stanlake Park, the residence of Colonel F. G. Barker, the chairman of the Wokingham Magistrates, and was completely wrecked. '‘Although I had never made a parachute jump before in my 21 years’ flying experience. I had to rehearse it mentally and knew what to do,” said the pilot. “The only thing was to keep absolutely cool and I think I managed that all rights. I think this is the first time anyone has managed to escape successfully from a cabin machine."