CRASHED AIR LINER.

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19459, 26 December 1934, Page 8

CRASHED AIR LINER.

EMBEDDED IN MUD. THE LIGHTNING THEORY. \ BRITAIN’S AID APPRECIATED. United Pfess Assr.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. THE HAGUE, Dee. 24. The Royal Dutch Air Line states that prior to the disaster to 'the Douglas air liner she was struck toy lightning. There is no evidence of any constructional fault. A message from Bagdad states that air line officials wade'd 100yds. through a -swamp to reach the wrecked machine Which was lying upside down in a sea of mud. The police allowed nobody to approach within five miles of the wreckage. The pilot, Geysendorffer, corroborates the lightning theory. He says the aeroplane was flying over the usual route from 'Cairo to Bagdad. All the instruments indicate that she was maintaining- the usual height and not attempting to land. LONDON, Dec. 23.

Colonel Shelmerdine, Director-Gen-eral of Civil Aviation, sent a message of. condolence to the Netherlands Director of Civil Aviation on the loss of the Douglas K.L.M. air liner, and received a reply gratefully acknowledging the assistance rendered by members of the Royal Air Force. A message from Bagdad states that the post-mortem examination of the seven victims of the crash disclosed that all died from concussion. Most oi their limbs were broken. The bodies are to be buried to-morrow in the British cemetery.