PILOT KILLED

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19815, 20 February 1936, Page 7

PILOT KILLED

PLANE HITS MAST. SQUADRON-LEADER MoQREQOR. FATALITY AT RONGOTAI. ESCAPE OF PASSENGER. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. Striking the anemometer mast when gliding down to land at Rongotal aerodrome this afternoon, the Union Airways’ Miles Paloon private charter taxi monoplane crashed to ground up-side-down, and the pilot, SquadronLeader M. C, MoQregor, reoeived Injuries from whloh he died In the Wellington Hospital about two hours later. The only passenger, Mr 0. W. F. Hamilton, a young sheepfarmer, of Irishman’s Creek Station, Falrlle, South Canterbury, eaoaped with slight abrasions to the right wrist and face and a out above his right eye. Mr Hamilton arrived from the South Island by the inter-island express steamer yesterday morning on a hurried business visit to Hamilton, and for this purpose he engaged the Miles Falcon monoplane, piloted by Mr A. V. Jury. He flew the same day from Rongotai to Hamilton, where he staved last night. He left Hamilton with Mr Jury on the southward journey at about noon to-day, but at Palmerston North Squadron-Leader McGregor relieved Mr Jury as pilot for the remaining stage of the journey to -AVellington, as in his opinion flying Conditions were decidedly risky, and he considered it was his duty as service manager of Unibn Airways Lo undertake the flight himself. Palmerston North was left shortly after two o’clock, and making the last stage of the trip via the coast-

SQUADRON-LEADER McQREQOR. line, Squadron-Leader McGregor was about to bring the monoplane down to land when its right wing caught the anemometer mast Heavy rain was falling at the time of the accident. The crash was heard by the officials at the aerodrome, and within a few seconds they were on the spot and had extricated SquadronLeader McGregor and Mr Hamilton from underneath the upturned monoplane, which had crashed several yards from the anemometer mast. This mast stands near the main roadway on the Seatoun side of the aerodrome building. Squadron-Leader McGregor received extensive head injuries and a fracture of the base of the skull. Passenger’s Narrative. After receiving medical attention at the aerodrome, Mr Hamilton said the weather had been pretty thick from Palmerston to Wellington, rain falling all the way. The pilot had done one circle round the aerodrome and was about to land when the machine hit the anemometer mast —which wing or which part of the monoplane had hit the mast he could not say. “ I did not sea it coming,” Mr Ham- ' llton said. “ There was a crash and 1 I simply knew we had hit something. The machine fell upside-down and about a quarter or half a minute later someone lifted the wing and pulled me out.” Although the machine is badly smashed, it is not considered to be be'tytrnd reconditioning. The engine was Corn away from its bearing, the metal propeller was smashed, and the machine was generally badly damaged around the nose, which seems to indicate that it dived after striking the mast and then somersaulted over on its back. One wing is ripped ofr, but the fuselage is in fairly good order and the elevator and wheels are intact. It is customary when entering Rongotai aerodrome in a southerly wind to come in between the north-east or north-west corners. Squadron-Leader McGregor entered due south, between the golf house and the aero clubhouse —a route which is rarely used by Wellington pilots. An inquest will be opened to-mor-row afternoon before Mr E. Gilbertton, J.P. distinguished career. RECORD OF WAR SERVICE. MELBOURNE AIR RACE SUCCESS. Squadron-Leader McGregor, who is a son of Mr and Mrs Kwun McGregor, of Hamilton, was born in Iluntervillo 40 years ago and was educated at the Hamilton High School. e Was too young to enlist when war broke out in 1914. but he learned to fly at Messrs Walsh Brothers’ School at Koliimarama. After further training in England in 1916 lie became a member of the Royal Flying Corps and went to France with the 07th Squadron early in 1917. Distinguished War Services. His capabilities soon won him a place as one of the pilots under the famous Major Bishop, Y.C., in the 85th Squadron, and he fought with Major Bishop’s Circus until the end of the war His exploits won him the Distinguished Flying Cross and bar, and Gross. His activities in France were described in the wellknown book “ War Birds," in which br frequently mentioned. Returning t«* the Dominion. Squaci(Continued in next column.}

ron-Leader McGregor took up farming, but when the Gipsy Moth machine was produced in 1928 he returned to aviation, and spent the next two years passenger living in every part of New Zealand, becoming a most - popular figure. Later he conducted a passenger service from Christchurch to Dunedin. He was selected by the Government to carry out experimental mail flights in 1931 from Auckland to Invercargill, Wellington to Hokitika, and Hawke’s Bay to Wellington. He was also associated with the late Sir Charles Kingsford Smith. Success in Air Race. He joined the Manawatu Aero Club in 1932 as pilot instructor, but at an Aero Club pageant lie had the misfortune to crash while giving a balloonbursting exhibition, and was for a lengthy period in hospital. On his recovery he resumed duty as pilot instructor, and later he was selected with Mr H. C. Walker, the club captain, to pilot the Miles Hawk machine in the Melbourne Centenary Air Race, in which they established a light aeroplane record for the world and secured fifth place. He relinquished bis position as instructor on his appointment to the staff of Union Airways as service manager. Squadron-Leader McGregor was one of the most popular pilots in the Dominion and his spectacular stunting made him the idol of schoolboys ail over the Dominion. His characteristic modesty, thoroughness and efficiency had won him the. respect of all those associated with him. He is survived by his wife and four children, two hoys and two girls. ,\ brother, Mr E. J. McGregor, resides at Taupiri, and Mrs J. McWhannell, of Ohaupo, is a sister. Headmaster’s Tribute. At the Hamilton High School this morning, Mr Eben Wilson, principal of the school, paid a tribute to the outstanding courage and determination with which Squadron-Leader McGregor had set about his exploits. Mr Wilson referred to the pride that all old boys of the school had taken in the success of McGregor in the Melbourne Centenary Air Race. “ The manner in which he met his dcatli was characteristic of the man." said Mr Wilson. •• With quiet courage he undertook a task because of the difficulties it presented.’’