Skill.... And Luck

[Dave Homewood]

This article may be of interest to topdressing fans. From The Press, 2 September 1966.

Skill... And Luck

(N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND. Sept. 1.

Skilful action by a pilot prevented injury to himself and damage to his topdressing plane after flying through two 11,000-volt power lines at Pouto, 40 miles from Dargaville today.

Mr K. McCracken, aged 26, of Dargaville, employed by Thames Aerial Topdressing Company, based at Dargaville, was making a sowing run into the sun on the property of Mr M. Sinclair when he struck the power lines.

He cut the motor of his plane and made a forced landing on the property of Mr R. Barron.

Three hours later, Mr McCracken flew his plane back to the Dargaville base. He will resume flying for his firm tomorrow in another plane while the other machine is undergoing a check. Power was restored by the North Auckland Power Board four hours later.

[delticman]

Feb 6, 2023 14:34:04 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

This article may be of interest to topdressing fans. From The Press, 2 September 1966.

Skill... And Luck

(N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND. Sept. 1.

Skilful action by a pilot prevented injury to himself and damage to his topdressing plane after flying through two 11,000-volt power lines at Pouto, 40 miles from Dargaville today.

Mr K. McCracken, aged 26, of Dargaville, employed by Thames Aerial Topdressing Company, based at Dargaville, was making a sowing run into the sun on the property of Mr M. Sinclair when he struck the power lines.

He cut the motor of his plane and made a forced landing on the property of Mr R. Barron.

Three hours later, Mr McCracken flew his plane back to the Dargaville base. He will resume flying for his firm tomorrow in another plane while the other machine is undergoing a check. Power was restored by the North Auckland Power Board four hours later.

ZK-BIK

[gtw]

I tried power lines twice, I saw the power line at the last min,and hit it with the prop which cut it. A new prop and some wing repairs.
The second hit was the same. Aimed the prop at the power line and add power, might bugger the prop but the plane is still flying.
When I got home the fridge had plenty of beer, which was needed. The joys of spraying .
The best days flying was when Queen Liz visit Geraldton and I was asked to spray a paddock while her Aircraft flew past.
And was at the airport when she landed and meet her. A great Day.