MISS SPOONER CRASHES

Taranaki Daily News, 6 December 1930, Page 7

MISS SPOONER CRASHES

PLANE FALLS INTO SEA

AIRWOMAN SWIMS ASHORE AFRICAN RECORD ATTEMPT ENGINE TROUBLE AT NIGHT ’ By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Rome, Dec. 4. Miss Spooner and Flying Officer Edwards, who were attempting to fly from London to Capetown in record time, crashed in the Tyrrhenian Sea (between Sardinia and Italy), and were rescued.

The machine came down two miles from the shore. The occupants shouted for assistance for two hours and then Miss Spooner swam through the choppy sea and informed a fisherman, who rescued Flying-Officer Edwards from the plane. Both fliers were slightly injured. The machine was towed ashore.

Miss Spooner was traversing the Tyrrhenian Sea in moonlight when engine trouble caused the descent. Luckily th© aeroplane floated. The pair sent up flares for two hours, and also constantly shouted, but were unsuccessful. Then Miss Spooner, who is an excellent swimmer, resolved to attempt to swim to the shore, (which she estimated to be two miles distant.

The sea was choppy and the current strong, and when she landed two hours later she was suffering; considerably from cold and exhaustion, and was unable to find anyone. She managed, however, to stumble to the railway station of Belmonte, where she was given first aid. The station staff aroused fishermen, who set off to th© rescue. They were guided to the plane by the few remaining flares left in the possession of'Edwards. >

Dawn was just breaking when Edwards was taken off. The plane was taken in tow. . Miss Spooner was slightly injured about the nose and lips, and Edwards on the forehead. They are at present guests of the Mayor of Bel-, monte. . . ’

An aeroplane has been sent to Miss Spoonpr’s assistance by the Italian Air Minister, Signor Balbo. Miss Spooner, Who became a pilot in 1927, has made a number of historic flights and has had several remarkable escapes. She received the woman’s trophy of the International League of Aviators in March.

Miss Spooner, the King’s up air race winner, set out at dawn on Wedn.sday in a dramatic attempt to fly from London to Capetown in five days, which is four, days less than the previous record. Miss Spooner said she hoped to show that the Imperial ■ Airways service, soon to be inaugurated, could run a five days’ schedule with relay pilots and machines.