Plane Apparently Hit Rocky Ledge Head-On

Wanganui Chronicle, 1 November 1948, Page 4

Plane Apparently Hit Rocky Ledge Head-On

Striking Snow, Its Speed May Have Been Reduced Before The Crash

OHAKUNE, Sunday (“Chronicle” Staff Reporter).—Eyewitnesses' accounts of the location of the wreckage of the Lockheed Electra suggest that the plane apparently flew almost headon into a rocky face and then rebounded to come to rest in the

snow some 75 feet or more below. The port wing was on the rocky ledge and just below it was the port motor. The remainder of the aircraft was badly broken and twisted with the plane resting on its belly. The starboard wing was still attached to the fuselage but was badly damaged. The nose of the plane was smashed in but the twin tail unit was not so badly damaged. A reporter who was with the party to visit the wreckage confirmed that the Electra had hit the rocky face almost head-on. He thought the fuselage and starboard wing would be about 80 feet below the port wing and motor. He said the bodies of 10 of the passengers were strapped in their seats, which had been wrenched from their mountings and thrown forward by impact. The body of the first pilot was in the seat, but the second pilot had been thrown out and was found under the wing. The opinion that the aircraft appeared to have hit the snow and been slowed down before it hit the rocky face was expressed by Mr. C. Herkt. a Public Works Department employee and member of the Tongariro 1 ramping Club who assisted with the carrying of the bodies of the victims. He said that the nlane could easily have struck the snow, slowed down considerably and then hit the face head-on. He did not think, judging from the extent of the damage, that the Electra had flown straight into the rock without its speed having been reduced. This opinion was confirmed by another tramper. Opinions as to the manner in which the crash occurred varied considerably. "The Electra would have had to be flying at about 1000 feet higher to have avoided the crash,” said Mr. Herkt.

Sixty years of age, Mr. Herkt was the oldest member of the party to reach the plane. He has been tramping for years and has taken part in a number of searches in the mountain. A party of three experts from the Civil Aviation Branch went up the mountain to the camp at the head of

Mangatuimturu Valley early on Saturday morning. They were led by a competent guide, but decided not to make the climb to the wreckage, as instruments from the Lockheed were brought down and handed over to them. The party returned to Horopito this morning with the remainder of the party. Mr. H. C. Walker, chief pilot for the National Airways Corporation, travelled as far as the Mangaturuturu base and returned to Horopito this morning. This morning another party ol technicians left for the aircraft under the control of a competent guide. Wing Commander R. C. Kean, chief investigating officer for air accidents at Air Department, climbed to within 200 yards of the wreckage yesterday. On his return he told reporters that the final part of the journey was too much for him. Wing Commander Kean has been in the area of search operations since the Electra was reported missing on October 23 Traffic control was carried out by officers of the Transport Department who co-operate with the police and Army in keeping vehicles away from the area. Traffic-Inspector W. Wilson (Wanganui) arrived at Horopito on Friday and remained there throughout the week-end. He was followed on Friday night by the assistant chief traffic inspector. Mr. J H R Semple (Wellington) and Traffic-Inspector R. E. Mason (Levin), both of whom had patrol cars equipped with two-way radio. While on his way from Wellington, Mr Semple was in continual wireless communication with Inspector Wilson. a , Two of the Transport Department s traffic inspectors, Messrs. D. Breed (Ohakune) and J Birse (Taumarunui) were with the advance party which went up the mountain on Friday They returned to Ohakune late on Saturday afternoon. Three brothers, Messrs. J- W. Moule (Horopito), L Moule (Ohakune) and T Moule (Horopito) were among those who went, up the mountain. Mr T. Moule was one of the leaders of the advance party, and Mr. J W. Moule led an Army food party which left Cowern’s Mill at 10 pm., when the weather was deteriorating rapidly This group consisted of 17 members and got as far as a point a mile and a-half below Lake Surprise. After camping for a few hours the men started off again soon after daybreak and reached the main base camp on the slopes of Ruapehu at 8 a.m. After the arrival of this party it. was possible to provide a hot meal. Mr L. Moule. travelling light on Saturday went, from Cowern’s Mill to the base camp at Cascade Falls in the remarkably good time of two and aquarter hours. All three brothers are i experienced bushmen. I