Airman’s Amazing Escape in Crash: No Sign of Plane
Jul 22, 2021 23:43:04 GMT 12
chinapilot likes this
Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 22, 2021 23:43:04 GMT 12
Airman’s Amazing Escape in Crash: No Sign of Plane
(P.A.) AUCKLAND, Jan. 3.
An amazing escape was experienced by the pilot of the Tauranga Aero Club, Mr. B. M. Marshall, aged 27, Tauranga, when a Tiger Moth aircraft which he was flying from Waharoa to Tauranga early on Friday morning crashed in the Kaimai Range 3000 ft. above sea level.
Mr. Marshall had flown to Matamata the previous day to test an aircraft belonging to the Matamata club, and left Waharoa aerodrome on his return flight at 6.30 a.m. He had been flying for only a few minutes when his engine cut out and he crashed in heavy bush. Mr. Marshall was thrown clear of the plane and knocked unconscious. When he regained consciousness at 7.30 a.m. he could find no trace of the plane.
Suffering from cuts to the head, shock and slight concussion, the pilot began a two and a half hours’ journey through difficult country. For most of the journey Mr. Marshall followed a stream and where the bush was impenetrable he swam in the river, arriving at the edge of the property of Mr. J. Odey, farmer, of Minden.
Mr. Marshall fell, exhausted. His cries for help were heard by Mr. Odey, who gave him refreshments and medical attention at his home. Mr. Marshall was conveyed to the Tauranga Hospital by a passing motorist. He was discharged from hospital on Saturday morning.
When Mr. Marshall’s plane was overdue at Tauranga aerodrome on Friday morning, aircraft at Waharoa and Tauranga stood by ready to begin a search. Bad weather prevented the planes from leaving the ground, and poor visibility on Saturday kept them above 800 ft. A land party yesterday began a search for the missing plane.
GISBORNE HERALD, 3 JANUARY 1949
(P.A.) AUCKLAND, Jan. 3.
An amazing escape was experienced by the pilot of the Tauranga Aero Club, Mr. B. M. Marshall, aged 27, Tauranga, when a Tiger Moth aircraft which he was flying from Waharoa to Tauranga early on Friday morning crashed in the Kaimai Range 3000 ft. above sea level.
Mr. Marshall had flown to Matamata the previous day to test an aircraft belonging to the Matamata club, and left Waharoa aerodrome on his return flight at 6.30 a.m. He had been flying for only a few minutes when his engine cut out and he crashed in heavy bush. Mr. Marshall was thrown clear of the plane and knocked unconscious. When he regained consciousness at 7.30 a.m. he could find no trace of the plane.
Suffering from cuts to the head, shock and slight concussion, the pilot began a two and a half hours’ journey through difficult country. For most of the journey Mr. Marshall followed a stream and where the bush was impenetrable he swam in the river, arriving at the edge of the property of Mr. J. Odey, farmer, of Minden.
Mr. Marshall fell, exhausted. His cries for help were heard by Mr. Odey, who gave him refreshments and medical attention at his home. Mr. Marshall was conveyed to the Tauranga Hospital by a passing motorist. He was discharged from hospital on Saturday morning.
When Mr. Marshall’s plane was overdue at Tauranga aerodrome on Friday morning, aircraft at Waharoa and Tauranga stood by ready to begin a search. Bad weather prevented the planes from leaving the ground, and poor visibility on Saturday kept them above 800 ft. A land party yesterday began a search for the missing plane.
GISBORNE HERALD, 3 JANUARY 1949
