Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 16, 2024 21:07:39 GMT 12
From The Press on 17th of June 1975:
Circuit and BUMP
(From Our Own Reporter)
NELSON, June 16.
A student pilot made an expensive circuit of Nelson Airport this morning. When Mr Dale O’Rourke came in to land he crashed the aircraft he had just paid $2000 for.
Mr O’Rourke, a Customs officer, of Wellington, bought the small single-seat Taylor monoplane from Mr D. J. Crimp, and had intended flying it back to Wellington tomorrow. He was trying to get accustomed to it when it crashed.
Observers at the airport said the aircraft made its approach and then dived straight into the ground from a height of about 50 feet. One man who saw the accident said Mr O’Rourke "did not round out” his landing. Suggestions that the Volkswagen 1200 engine that powered the machine had stalled were not substantiated by onlookers.
The aircraft dived into soft ground about 11.25 a.m. and Mr O’Rourke escaped uninjured. Emergency services were alerted at the airport but were not needed.
Damage to the machine was confined to a small area of each wing, the wooden propeller, and the undercarriage. It is reported to be repairable, and is insured.
Mr Crimp has used the machine in the Nelson district for about four years and was a somewhat distressed spectator at the airport when it crashed.
Mr Crimp bought the aircraft from a Wellington pilot. It was an English design, of wooden construction. He said there were about four aircraft of the same design flying in New Zealand, and several others under construction.
Circuit and BUMP
(From Our Own Reporter)
NELSON, June 16.
A student pilot made an expensive circuit of Nelson Airport this morning. When Mr Dale O’Rourke came in to land he crashed the aircraft he had just paid $2000 for.
Mr O’Rourke, a Customs officer, of Wellington, bought the small single-seat Taylor monoplane from Mr D. J. Crimp, and had intended flying it back to Wellington tomorrow. He was trying to get accustomed to it when it crashed.
Observers at the airport said the aircraft made its approach and then dived straight into the ground from a height of about 50 feet. One man who saw the accident said Mr O’Rourke "did not round out” his landing. Suggestions that the Volkswagen 1200 engine that powered the machine had stalled were not substantiated by onlookers.
The aircraft dived into soft ground about 11.25 a.m. and Mr O’Rourke escaped uninjured. Emergency services were alerted at the airport but were not needed.
Damage to the machine was confined to a small area of each wing, the wooden propeller, and the undercarriage. It is reported to be repairable, and is insured.
Mr Crimp has used the machine in the Nelson district for about four years and was a somewhat distressed spectator at the airport when it crashed.
Mr Crimp bought the aircraft from a Wellington pilot. It was an English design, of wooden construction. He said there were about four aircraft of the same design flying in New Zealand, and several others under construction.
