MONOPLANE CRASHES

Waikato Independent, Volume XXX, Issue 2433, 6 January 1931, Page 5

MONOPLANE CRASHES

DIVES INTO SAND AT KAWHIA. THREE OCCUPANTS UNHURT. A De Souftcr monoplane,. the Aoxangi, owned by the Waikato Aviation Company and piloted by Mr Stanley Blackmoro, came to grief when at Kawhia a few days ago. VThe landing ground is situated on sand bank in the middle of the harRjour, but, as the tide was full in, only •a small portion of it was exposed, says the King Country Chronicle. ... The pilot reconnoitcred a good deal before attempting to Finally, he made for .the full length .of the avail- - able runway, but the distance was totally insufficient, and the plane was soon enveloped in spray, water.; and sand, and was heading at a high speed for the water's edge. Just as a plunge into the tide was imminent, softer sand ■ was encountered. The plane nose-dived into this and turned completely. over, coming to a standstill partly submerged at the water's edge. The pilot and two passengers escaped injury. ■••■■. •;. The Aoi'angi was the plane which Messrs Piper and Kay, the New Zca & land fliers, used on their flight from England to Australia. Mr Blackmore purchased the machine, recently. -' The plane was not seriously damaged, N but one wheel was wrenched off.