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PLANE CRASHES
After Landing
An air journey from Sydney to
Goulburn yesterday, had a sudden
ending when the plane crashed
after a forced landing in a paddock
near Mary's Mount. Both the
pilot and passenger escaped in-
jury.
The plane, which was an old model
Sopwith Dove, was piloted by Mr. R.
G. Whitehead, of Sydney, who was
accompanied by Mrs. Howarth, of
Narrandera. No trouble was experi-
enced on the trip from Sydney, but
shortly before 4 p.m., when the
machine was approaching Mary's
Mount, an engine defect resulted in
the engine cutting out.
As a forced landing was imperative,
the pilot selected an open field some
distance from the Monastery on the
opposite side of the road. The field
has a distinct rise.
According to an eye-witness, the
plane made a perfect landing.
Apparently, however, a punctured
tyre or gutter caused some trouble,
for the machine swung upon landing
and went over on a wing tip. Con-
siderable damage was caused to the
plane, the under-carriage and lower
wing in particular being badly smash-
ed. Portions of the plane, which was
owned by Mr. Howarth, of Narran-
dera, were later dismantled and the
machine towed away. It had been the
pilot's intention to fly to Coota-
mundra and then to Narrandera.
Despite the distance from town,
news of the accident quickly spread
and during the afternoon a curious
crowd of sightseers arrived, among
them being many children, who were
soon souveniring many splintered
fragments.
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