CRASH AT GREAT SPEER

Taranaki Daily News, 3 May 1933, Page 5

CRASH AT GREAT SPEER

BRITISH AIRMAN KILLED VISCOUNT KNEBWORTH DEAD PILOT BURNED TO ASHES HUNDREDS WATCH TRAGEDY By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. London, May 1. While a squadron of nine planes was flying in formation at Hendon in preparation for the air pageant a machine piloted by Viscount Knebworth crashed. Viscount Knebworth and the other occupant of the plane, Aircraftsman Harrison, were killed. Eye-witnesses say that the planes were dipping to the final salute in the twilight when Viscount Knebworth’s plane suddenly dropped to earth and immediately caught fire. Hundreds of people witnessed Viscount Knebworth’s. crash. Twenty-six planes were still in the air and the pilots helplessly watched the burning wreckage. Officers declare that Viscount Knebworth was leading a squadron diving at 300 miles an hour. He should have turned skywards 80 feet from the ground and if he had opened the throttle a second earlier he would have averted the disaster. The wheels struck the ground with terrific speed, causing the plane to oyerturn. It somersaulted half a dozen times and then burst into flames, which rose 60 feet. Viscount Knebworth was burned to ashes. Harrison was dragged clear still alive, but he died later.

Viscount Edward Knebworth, who was aged 30, was the son and heir of the. second Earl of Lytton. He was educated at Eton.