Seaplane Mishap

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXIV, Issue 127, 31 October 1930, Page 2

Seaplane Mishap

AUCKLAND HARBOUR CRASH

THEORY AS TO CAUSE

(Per Press Association) AUCKLAND, Last night

Commenting on the Fairey seaplane's crash in the upper harbour yesterday while it was engaged in a speed test at water level, SquadronLeader Isitt, who was following in another plane, said that the Fairey s floats suddenly hit the water with terrific force. The machine turned over on her nose and went down like a stone.

“I did not think the occupants would ever get out alive,” said Squadron-Leader Isitt. ‘‘l could see that they had been taken under and knew that if they had been injured or caught under the plane they would never come up. I immediately alighted and as I did so I saw three of them swimming around. They must have been quite two minutes under the water before they struggled free. They were extremely lucky. All were wearing reed jackets filled with kapok and we never strap ourselves in. To those circumstances they owe their lives.

“The mishap was apparently due to an error of judgment by the pilot. That, however, is not a serious thing. It would be in the case of a commercial machine, carrying passengers. An Air Force pilot engaged in a legitimate test such as yesterday is entitled to take risks that would not be warranted with a commercial machine.” It is stated that the plane was travelling at 12 6 miles an hour when she crashed.

After three hours’ salvage work the seaplane, which sank in 40 feet of water, had not been recovered at 1.30 to-day.

The machine is worth £6OOO. The extent of the damage is unknown, but a diver reports that the machine is stuck in the mud, the propeller is gone and part of the body is twisted.