'FRISCO AIR TRAGEDY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19247, 12 February 1937, Page 5

'FRISCO AIR TRAGEDY

FOURTH BODY FOUND PETROLEUM MILLIONAIRE SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 11. Coastguardsmen, working with grappling hooks, have recovered from the muddy bottom of the bay the body of the Petroleum millionaire, Mr. Mark Fontana, who was one of the 11 victims of the crash of the Douglas airliner on i'uestlay night.

The body bore evidence that Mr. Fontana had struggled desperately to escape. A preliminary examination indicated that death had resulted from drowning. The search for the remaining seven victims as yet not located is being continued. It is now believed that, the crew remained with the plane, while the passengers endeavoured to escape.

The Federal Secretary of Commerce, Mr. D. C. Roper, said* yesterday that early reports indicated that the pilot was dissatisfied with the first glide towards a landing and flew over the bay to prepare for a second attempt, lie turned the plane and the right tip of the 90ft. wing apparently hit the water, causing the disaster. Another official, Mr. Vitlnl, said structural or engine failure was unlikely. Major Schroeder, chief investigator for the Department of Commerce, has been sent to the coast to direct an investigation.

Mr. Roper has announced 11 recommendations resulting from the recent air safety conferece, involving the use by all air lines of new improved instruments and stricter training of pilots, including flying blind and better approach lights at air ports.