K.L.M. CRASH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23687, 20 December 1938, Page 12

K.L.M. CRASH

A.THICK MIST SIX PERSONS KILLED DR W. A. FAIRCLOUGH INJURED (From Our Own Correspondent) (By Air Mail) LONDON, Nov. 17. Six people, among them German refugees, were killed when a Royal Dutch plane from Berlin to London crashed on the,night of November 14 in a thick mist near Schiopol Aerodrome, Amsterdam. The remaining 12 occupants of the machine were injured, including four British passengers. The machine, D.C. 3 Ijsvogel, crashed in marshy land in sight of the aerodrome and was completely wrecked. It was trying to find its way on the wireless beam, in thick mist and drizzle, when it struck the ground. About seven minutes before the crash the Ijsvogel received a message to the effect that they should wait 10 minutes, before landing owing to weather conditions. One of the altimeters registered 30 meters. The fact the plane crashed when in full flight seems to point to the idea that the pilot thought he was still far enough from the ground. The chief pilot was Captain J. J. E. Duimelaar; the second pilot .was Captain W. van Gemeren; wireless operator, C. J. W. Surber; mechanic, W. J. van Hunt. Rescuers searched for hours with torches before finding the body of the chief pilot lying in a ditch under the wreckage. The co-pilot had been seconded from the army for civil flying training. THREE DITCHES When the plane 'struck the ground part of the left wing and one of the two motors were wrenched off and thrown to the side. The machine then taxied on one wheel for about 400 yards and struck a ditch, where the second wing and the other motor were wrenched off. The cockpit and the Greater part of the cabin were damaged at this point, when it is believed that most of the people were killed. The plane then pushed forward until it struck a third ditch. Dead and wounded were thrown all over the field. Fire brigade, ambulances, Dolice and soldiers from a nearby military aerodrome carried out the rescue work bv torchlight. In the tail of the plane they discovered two passengers who had smashed their way through the woodwork of the cabin, only to be trapped in the rear of the plane. The K.L.M. authorities are investigating the cause of the crash. They are unable to understand how such a disaster could have occurred with a man of Captain Duimelaar's exDerience in charge. He had flown K.L.M. planes for 18 years, and had many million miles to his credit. So great was the confusion after the crash that a search was made for hours for Captain Duimelaar as he lay dead in hospital. Among the injured were: Mr Leonard Ingrams, of Cheyne row, Chelsea, S.W. (both legs broken): Mr James Miller, of Great Castle street, London; Mr Clayman, a Canadian; Dr W. A. Fairclough (Auckland). Mr In grams is the representative in England and Europe of the Chemical Bank and Trust Company, (5 Bishopsgate, E.C. He had been to Berlin on business. Among the injured also appeared the names of Miss Clovey (of New Zealand), with broken ribs, and Mrs Claymann (of New Zealand), suffering from fractured spine and hip. But no record can be found in London of these ladies. One of the injured women was Miss R. G. Clyman. the corresDondent in Munich of the London Daily Telegraph and Morning Post. It is nopsible that there was confusion of names at the moment of the disaster. DR FAIRCLOUGH As soon as the news became known in London, the High Commissioner got into touch with the Wilhelmina Hospital, and so did Mr D. F. Reid, London manager of the Bank of New Zealand. Much anxiety was felt concerning Dr Fairclough, but by noon the message arrived that he fortunatelv was among the less serious injured. He has a fractured rib and minor cuts. Naturally, the shock has been severe. A caller at the hospital yesterday wired to London that Dr Fairclough was feeling more comfortable, was reviving, and had expressed a wish for some cigarettes.