The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954)(about) |
Previous issue
Tuesday 15 September 1931
Next issue
Send to:
|
No corrections yet
AEROPLANE CRASH
Seen Near the Needles Search Party's Efforts
No Confirmation
Obtained
Mystery surrounds a report that an aeroplane was seen lu. the vicinity ot the Needles yesterday morning, and which, lt was thought, dived to tho ground and disappeared.
Mr. Hedley Butler, residing at Cavo slde, reported to the police that he had seen an aeroplane over Gardiner Range on Dog Mountain 'a the vicinity of Needles about 9 a.m. It was travelling from the south to tho north-west, ap- parently following the hydro-electric transmission line. Ile stated that the aeroplano appeared to be dipping from ono side to tho other, and then nose- dived and disappeared.
Sergeant Hainsworth, of Deloraine, forwarded a messago to Superintendent Lonergan at Launceston, who Instructed that a search be made In tho surround- ing country. Mr. Buller, in company with Trooper Kearney, of Chudleigh, carried on a search during the day, but not traco was found of tho machine.
Residents at Deloraino are said to havo heard the sound of an aeroplane during tho morning. The investigation will bo continued to-day. The country in %vhlch the aeroplano was reported to have been seen Is of a very rugged na-
ture. I
STORY DISCREDITED.
The Controller of Aerodromes in Tas- mania (Captain C. W.-B. Martin) stated at Launceston last night that none of the aeroplanes in Tasmania had been in tho air during the day, and all were safe . In their hangars. There is an aeroplane at Flinders Island belonging to Mr.N. Chapman, but lt was not in commission, and ho was awaiting thc arrivai of sparo parts.
The opinion .was expressed that Mr. Butler probably had seen a bird lu the mist, and heard the sound of a passing motor cyclist, which had led him to believe that it waa an aeroplane.