A FORCED LANDING

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Volume 58, Issue 227, 25 October 1929, Page 7

A FORCED LANDING

HAWKE'S BAY AERO CLUB'S SPARTAN. P0STP0NEMENT OF DOMINION TOUR. Further information to hand concerning the forced landing made near the Matahoura Gorge, by Captain White, in the Hawke's Bay Aero Club's Spartan 'plane on Wednesday, shows that Sir Andrew Russell was a passenger in the 'plane at the time. Captain White and his passenger were en route to Gisborne and when Waikare was reached, exceptionally stormy weather conditions were countered with the result that Captain White decided to make a forced landing. The country was not by any means suitable for this on account of its somewhat hilly nature, but the pilot flew very low and after a lengthy search, found a "possie" in one of Mr Harry Young's paddocks, just above the Matahoura Gorge. Despite the conditions Captain White made quite a good landing. Sir Andrew Russell went on to Gisborne bv car, but Captain White remained for some time with his 'plane in the hope of the weather clearing sufficiently to enable him to return with the 'plane to Hastings. This, however, was not possible and Captain White returned to Hastings by car, leaving the 'plane well covered and protected where it landed. This morning Captian White went through by car to the scene of the landing, and hopes to return with the 'plane to Hastings to-day. The 'plane was not damaged in any way by its forced landing and will be used by Captain White in his tour of the Dominion. This was to have commenced this morning, but on account of the bad weather it was found necessary to postpone the trip. Captain White hopes to get away tomorrow and all being well will leave Hastings at five o'clock in the morning.