FORCED DOWN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 229, 28 September 1931, Page 7

FORCED DOWN

STORM AND DARKNESS KINGSFORD SMITH DELAYED BAD NIGHT ON WILD BEACH AIRMAN CONTINUING FLIGHT Telegraph—Presi Association—Cop*riffM.| Received Kept. 27, 7.15 p.m. RANGOON, Bept. Lfl. Air Commodore Kingsford dniitb * arrived hero at 5.55 this evening. He will leave early in tne morning for J hansi. He states that a heavy storm at 7.15 on Friday evening, with blinding ruin, foiled him down on the beach south of Victoria Point, where he spent a bad night. Ho got off this morning after heavy work in the sand. Just before taking off he discovered that the air screw was in a bad condition, and he had to return to Victoria Point for repairs Smith believes he can pick up the lost time by lengthening each stage from now on. Thus his future stages will be: Rangoon, Jhansi, Jask, A.eppu, Rome and London. He is disappointed at being forced down, but is glad that it was no worse. He did not enjoy the night among the unknown perils. A Victoria Point message says that Air-Commodore Kingsford Smith reports that he was brought down by the dark and storm 80 miles south of Victoria Point. He spent a bad night and reached Victoria Point at 7.15 in the morning very tired. He left at 11.30 a.m., for Rangoon. A message from Almor Star (on the Malay Peninsula) stated that Air-Com-modore Kingsford Smith was seen passing Penang. The weather conditions, which had been favourable, changed to a storm. The Southern Cross Minor was at times enveloped in dense clouds and appeared to be cljmbing above tho storm. At that stage the ’plane was about four hours f.\:n Victoria Point. FRIENDS HAD NO DOUBTI POPULAR ANXIETY RELIEVBD. Received Sept. 27, 5.5 p.m. SYDNEY, Sept. 27. News of Smithy’s safe arrival at Victoria Point after some hours of absence, relieved the popular anxiety, but his friends declare that they never doubted that he would surmount anj possible temporary set back. DEPARTURE FOR JHANSI. Received Sept 27, 9.10 p.m. RANGOON, Sept. 27. Air-Commodore Kingsford Smith ’«*ft for Jhansi at 4.15 this morning. ARRIVAL AT CALCUTTA SERIOUS FAINTING ATTACKS. Received Sept. 27, 11.25 p.m. CAuUUaI’A, Sept. 27. Air-Commodore Kingsxoru Suutb arrived at Calcutta aerodrome at 11.3 a.m., being forced to land owing to fainting attacks. While crossing the Bay of Bengal, during one attacK, the plane dropped from 300 U to IOUU feet before the airman recovered control. “Smith” obtained refreshments and brandy and departed at noon for Allahabad, where be plans to halt to night. lie is proceeding to Jask to-muiruw.