FALL INTO SEA
AIR FORCE PLANES MID-AIR COLLISION NO TRACE OF PILOT (P.A.) ' WELLINGTON, May 15. While practising: formation flying this afternoon, two planes from the R.N.Z.A.F. Station near Blenheim collided and one plane fell into the sea. No trace has been found of the pilot. Leading Aircraftman Alec Haigh, whose father is Mr Arthur Haigh, of Greytown, and it must be presumed that he is dead. The collision, which occurred about 3 p.m., took place a little distance out to sea between White Bluff and the Awatere River mouth, north-west of Cape Campbell. Floating wreckage was located shortly afterwards by an R.N.Z.A.F. launch which happened to be proceeding through Cook Strait, but no trace could be found of the pilot. The other machine, which was piloted by Leading Aircraftman John Joseph Fox. whose wife is Mrs Patricia Fox. of Wellington, made a forced landing on the beach. The pilot was admitted to the Wairau Hospital suffering from slight wounds and abrasions. His condition is not serious. No details are yet available, but it appears that two of three planes flying in formation collided and that the aircraft piloted by Leading Aircraftman Haigh was practically cut in half. A Court of Inquiry will be held.
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Bibliographic details
Otago Daily Times, Issue 24608, 16 May 1941, Page 6
Word Count
205FALL INTO SEA Otago Daily Times, Issue 24608, 16 May 1941, Page 6
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