MOTH 'PLANE CRASHES

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 84, 25 June 1930, Page 5

MOTH 'PLANE CRASHES

ACCIDENT AT WELLINGTON CUE PILOT'S EXCITING FLIGHT MAD CAREER OVER HOUSE TOPS WELLINGTON, June 24A two seater dual control De Havilaud Moth aeroplane crashed in (Jalabar Road in the vicinity of the Bongotai aerodrome at 3.45 p.m. to-day. The pilot, Mr T. Mulligan, was uninjured, although the machine was badly damaged. The under-carriage, propelior anfl three of its wings were broken. Mr Mulligan made his first solo flight a week ago and was on his third flight to-day when the accident occurred. Captain (jr. L. Stedman instructor to the Wellington Aero Club, had been up with him this afternoon and had gone through a few landings before allowing him to fly solo. Captain Stedman remarked to him that the northeasterly wind appeared to bo about to change to south. While Mr Mulligan was up alone, the wind switched round suddenly and became squally, but the pilot attempted to land as if it were still from the north-east quarter. He opened out and rose again, but tried once more to come down in the same direction. His wheels were on the ground and he was actually taxi-mg when he became afraid, apparently, that, he was going to hit; the Miramar golf clubhouse. He endeavoured to rise again, and managed to clear the fence and the telegraph wires on the main road. Thou he began a wild career over house tops and headed for a neighbouring hill in an attempt to avoid crashing into a house- While on the way he managed to flop through between the telephone lighting and power wires on to Cababar Road, where the right landing wheel eollaps'ed. The machine swung round and eventually ended on its nose. Mr Mulligan unstrapped himself and climbed out of the 'plane uninjured.

Tile machine is a new one and lias been lent to the club by the Government. During the three weeks that the club has had it, the aeroplane has snout 30 hours in the air.