THE FATAL FLIGHT

Wairarapa Age, 17 November 1919, Page 5

THE FATAL FLIGHT

DETAILS OF DISASTER

END OF TWO BRAVE MEN.

) (By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. (Australian-N.Z. Cable Association. . Received Last Night, 5.5 o'clock ' LONDON, Nov. 13. Details of tho disaster to th< ; Allianco aeroplane in which Captaii Douglas and Lieut. Ross started t i flight to Australia, and which, falling at Surbiton, was wrecked, arid botlaviators killed, are necessarily scanty Eye-witnesses remarked the machine's low altitude, when suddenly the engines stopped, and the aeroplane nose-dived into an orchard half-a-dozen miles from the starting point. Within a few minutes, neighbours had hastened to the spot, and other assistance was summoned, but it was discovered that both men had been killed. The airmen's cheery confidence that their flight would prove successful, and their firm trust in the capabilities of their engine and machine, add poignancy to the disaster. Both men chatted freely at Hounslow with tho Australian Press representative, who was one of the last to shake hands and wish them good luck as they entered the machine, which was equipped with every possible comfort for a long journey, including •leather upholstered arm-chairs. The airmen wore somewhat disappointed that thoy could not make an earlier start, but a light snowstorm in London, and adverse weathei reports, indicating a fog over the Channel and Northern France, prevented them carrying out their original programme. ' The Channel fog suddenly lifting, however, enabled a start- to bo made at 11.33. : * When the machine wheeled about, preparatory to starting, the sun burst out brilliantly, and the onlookers 'warmly congratulated the airmen on the good omen. The latter responded cheerfully, and waved a final farewell from the fuselage windows. Snow made the ground, heavy in I contrast with the hard frost of the previous day. The machine failed to take off cleanly, and even when it left the ground it roso slowly, and almost •appeared as if it would collide with some trees. Tho machine circled round tho aerodrome twice, but was still only feet high, and somo onlookers questioned whether the emergency foodstuffs and various equipment carried did not make an over-heavy load. It is pathetic to recall that Captain Douglas' sole regret was his failure to start at dawn. This was abased on the fact that this precluded the possibility of beating tfie Alliance's previous record time from London to Madrid. He added: "Anyway, I fully expect to overtake the Vickers-Vimy to-morrow.'' Both Captain Douglass and Lieut. Ross were inundated with telegrainS and letters containing good wishes up to the very of their departure, including messages from Prince Albert and many loading statesmen and

soldiers. , The Premier entrusted them with letters for his' son-in-law in Bagdad. Despatches to Mirl Hughes and others were als<i carried. * The . machine was named the "Endeavour." At the time of the crash it was heading towards London, and probably returning to Hounslow aerodrome, owing to the bad visibility. The crash occurred near the Surbiton cemetery. Pedestrians observed the engine running intermittently. Several loud reports followed, and tlie plane suddenly nose-dived at a terrific, speed through the mist, and crashed, levelling an apple tree. The machine was completely wrecked, and burst into flames, the propeller being buried in tho ground. Liput. Boss' body was seven yards distant, and he was killed instantly. The police and volunteers removed tho wreckage which was burying Captain Douglas, who died a few minutes after beiiig extricated. His wristlet watch was still going. The stores wore scattered over a wide radius.

During a trial flight yesterday, the machine's powerful wireless equipment picked up messages from the American naval station at the Panama

Canal. Captain Douglas based his confidence in the Buccess of the flight mainly on maintaining an hourly speed of 135 miles,' declaring that this was ten miles more than any other competitor. His plans included a 3000-mile nonstop flight to Brindisi l on tho first day, but owing to the late start Captain Douglas had decided to descend at Dijon. Tho bodies of the victims wore taken to tho Surbiton mortuary. Received Last Night, 11.20 o'clock. LONDON, Nov. 15. Mr. Sedeley, an estate agent, who was an oye-witnes of the ' 1 Endeavour'' crash, states that the aeroplane was flying a a great speed at 1000 ft. Evetyjhing seemed to be | /going quite smoothly; then the j engine stopped, and immediately the machine came earthwards. It turned iround and round, spinning in a nosedive, and when the '' Endeavour'' had fallen to the height of the housetops, the pilot seemed to be attempting to regain control, but it was too late. There was a terrible report, but it is not true that the wreckage caught fire, though parts were saturated with petrol.