Post by Dave Homewood on May 19, 2022 15:10:27 GMT 12
Low-flying jet hits power line
(New Zealand Press Association)
WELLINGTON, December 20.
A Vampire jet from the R.N.Z.A.F. station, Ohakea, today struck two power lines carrying 11,000 volts over the Rangitikei Gorge, about 28 miles north-east of Taihape.
Each line, aluminium cable about half an inch in diameter, was severed.
One cable would normally be sufficient to throw an aircraft off course, even without a charge of 11,000 volts. However, the jet landed safely at Ohakea a few minutes after the incident.
The pilot reported his lucky escape, and in turn the Air Force informed the Wanganui-Rangitikei Power Board. Tonight two large sheep stations at Springfield and Mangoahane, near the Napier-Taihape road, were without power. Power Board employees were repairing the cables, which will have to span nearly half a mile between pylons on opposite banks of the deep gorge.
“The aircraft was on an authorised low-flying exercise,” Wing Commander K. Griffiths, of defence headquarters, Wellington, said tonight. The aircraft was only slightly damaged. “An inquiry into the incident is to be held,” he said. About four years ago a high-tension power line in the same area was hit by a low-flying aircraft.
PRESS, 21 DECEMBER 1971
Does anyone know who the pilot was, or which Vampire? Sounds like a very lucky escape.
(New Zealand Press Association)
WELLINGTON, December 20.
A Vampire jet from the R.N.Z.A.F. station, Ohakea, today struck two power lines carrying 11,000 volts over the Rangitikei Gorge, about 28 miles north-east of Taihape.
Each line, aluminium cable about half an inch in diameter, was severed.
One cable would normally be sufficient to throw an aircraft off course, even without a charge of 11,000 volts. However, the jet landed safely at Ohakea a few minutes after the incident.
The pilot reported his lucky escape, and in turn the Air Force informed the Wanganui-Rangitikei Power Board. Tonight two large sheep stations at Springfield and Mangoahane, near the Napier-Taihape road, were without power. Power Board employees were repairing the cables, which will have to span nearly half a mile between pylons on opposite banks of the deep gorge.
“The aircraft was on an authorised low-flying exercise,” Wing Commander K. Griffiths, of defence headquarters, Wellington, said tonight. The aircraft was only slightly damaged. “An inquiry into the incident is to be held,” he said. About four years ago a high-tension power line in the same area was hit by a low-flying aircraft.
PRESS, 21 DECEMBER 1971
Does anyone know who the pilot was, or which Vampire? Sounds like a very lucky escape.
