PLANE CRASHES

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVI, Issue 21379, 23 June 1939, Page 8

PLANE CRASHES

Strikes Fence At Aerodrome

Pupil-pilot Loses An Eye

By Telegraph—Press Association MASTERTON, June 22.

As a result of a 'plane crashing into a fence at the Hood aerodrome yesterday afternoon, a pupil, Mr John Morrison, a farmer, of Blairlogie, was fairly seriously injured, and the pilotinstructor, Mr Frederick McDonald, suffered a scalp wound. The ’plane, a De Havilland Gipsy Moth, ZK-ABE, belonging to the Wai-rarapa-Ruahine Aero Club, was so badly damaged that it will probably not be rebuilt.

The two injured men were admitted to hospital. The accident occurred when landings were being practised. Several successful landings had been made, and the 'plane was coming down for another landing. There were two fences, about 10 yards apart, the second of which the 'plane struck, carried, it is believed, by a down-draught. The ’plane came to rest with its nose in the ground, but. fortunately, it did not overturn.

No one actually saw the accident, though the crash was heard some disance away. The ground staff shortly afterwards noticed the ’plane on the ground and immediately went to the scene. When they reached the ’plane they found Mr Morrison assisting the

pilot-instructor out of the wreckage

Dr. G. Cowie was immediately summoned and both men were conveyed to hospital.

This is the first serious accident at the Hood aerodrome for some considerable time.

This morning it was ascertained that Mr McDonald appears to have escaped with a gash on the forehead, but Mr Morrison, who is a patient at Glenwood private hospital, is more seriously injured. He suffered serious injury to one eye, -which had to be removed, and the nose.