THREE AIRMEN KILLED WHEN PLANE FALLS INTO HARBOUR.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18961, 7 January 1930, Page 1

THREE AIRMEN KILLED WHEN PLANE FALLS INTO HARBOUR.

Machine Hits Water At Terrific Speed; Is Located 30 Feet Deep

(United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph,—Copyright.) (Received January 7,11 a.m.) MELBOURNE, January 7. Three persons were killed when an aeroplane crashed yesterday. The victims were: — Captain the Honourable Hugh Grosvenor, A.D.C. to the Governor of South Australia, Sir Alexander HoreRuthven (at present in New Zealand). Flight-Lieutenant F. A. Briggs, of the Royal Air Force. Mr D. C. Ewen, leading air craftsman at the Point Cook Flying School. Their machine, a Wackett-Widgeon, cruised round the Point Cook Air Force aerodrome for a few minutes, and then began a Right over Port Phillip Bay. Suddenly eye witnesses saw the machine rocking and begin to descend. When 400 feet above water, it nose-dived into the bay and sank out of sight with the three occupants. The machine struck the water with terrific force. Captain Grosvenor, some months ago, Hew round Australia and took part in the search for Moir and Owen. Captain Grosvenor was an intrepid aviator, as was Mr Briggs, who took part in the search for Smith and Ulm when the Southern Cross was lost. The wreckage of the Wackett-Widgeon was found by a launch which visited the scene, and a flying jacket was recovered, which apparently belonged to one of the occupants. A ’plane circling overhead reported having located the amphibian lying in about 30 feet of water. The bodies have not yet been recovered. It is thought that they are imprisoned in the boat of the machine. The ill-fated machine struck the water about a mile from Point Cook. An eye-witness stated that the speed was terrific and that the airmen had no time to jump. Southampion Super-Marines, motor-boats, and other craft rushed to the spot, but at 9 o’clock last night salvage operations were suspended until to-day. Captain Grosvenor and Flight-Lieutenant Briggs had intended to try to break the existing record between Australia and England. Mr Briggs and Mr Ewen were married and Mrs Briggs is on her way to England where she wa§ to meet her husband on his arrival. The reason for the planes sudden nose-dive is unknown. It was built in Australia of Australian material about eighteen months ago and was flown round Australia in 1928.

CAPTAIN GROSVENOR WAS BRILLIANT JOCKEY

HAD HOPED TO BREAK “ SMITHY'S ” RECORD. (Received January 7, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, January 6. Captain Grosvenor, who was killed in Australia, was only twenty-five years of age, and was a brilliant amateur

jockey. ITe rode much in steeplechases before he left England for Australia, and twice competed in the Grand National. He took up flying after he arrived in Australia in 1928. He bought aDH Moth ’plane, and last summer flew round Australia, a distance of 8000 miles, in thirty-one days. His attempt to fly to England was to have been made in about ten days’ time, and he hoped to lower SquadronLeader C. E. Kingsford-Smith’s record of thirteen days for the journey. nniniiiiininiiinitiiuiiiiiim