ATLANTIC FLOWN

Taranaki Daily News, 19 December 1929, Page 11

ATLANTIC FLOWN

CRASH IN BRAZIL FOREST FRANCO-URUGUAYAN VICTORY AIRMEN’S AMAZING ESCAPE ■. ■ / JOY ' FOLLOWS LONG QUIET By Telegraph—Frees Assn.—Copyright. v i: -< s ßio de Janiero, Dec'. 17. - Lieut-Colonel Larro Borges (Uruguay) and Captain Leon Challe (France) made .'a forced landing last night at the village of Marcuja, near Natal, capital of the ' State of Rio 1 Grande Do Norte, Brazil, 'thus completing their trans-Atlantic .' flight-from Seville,' ■ > . The airmen left Seville early, on Sun-da.'-and had not reported by radio late on Monday night. Fear was growing that a disaster had occurred. The -flight 'ended'in a crash in the coastal forests where the aeroplane was demolished. The skill and courage of the airmen's flight across the South Atlantic ocean was as great as the miracle of their escape from death in the age of the big plane when it rushed to its final landing near the town of Santo •Antonio,- 50 miles from the coast. ' - Captain Challe was slightly injured, but. Colonel Borges, was unhurt. Air officials are amazed that the fliers escaped so easily in the dense forest region; ■ ' • ' • The aeroplane had covered a direct line distance of approximately 3640 - miles and the news of the crash came when the entire South American coast, from Natal to Buenos Ayres, was' anxiously awaiting word after the 12 hours .in which the plane’s-radio had been Bilent. The first advices received raised the fear that the fliers had been seriously injured and medical aid was hurriedly dispatched by aeroplane but later cheering crowds at Buenos Ayres and Montevideo greeted the report that both had escaped lightly.- Colonel Borges’ wife and six children heard the news at Montevideo.