N.G. Air Liner In Flames

Two Hurt and Native Killed When Canberra Crashes

THE first serious aviation accident that has occurred on the New Guinea goldfields for a considerable time hap pened on November 2, when the Canberra, owned by Holden’s Air Transport Ser vices Ltd., crashed in the Markham Val ley, Morobe district, and was burned to a charred mass of wreckage.

Pilot S. Sutcliffe and his passenger, Mr.

Frank O’Connell, both received dangerous burns and a native was burned to death.

When attempting to land at Kaiapat aerodrome, on the upper reaches of the Markham River, Pilot Sutcliffe swerved to avoid a Guinea Airways ’plane piloted by Mr. Kosh, and struck a building of the Lutheran Mission. The liner burst into flames and pilot and passenger barely escaped with their lives; the native was unable to free himself from the wreckage and was incinerated.

The Canberra, a 10-passenger D.H.-61 machine, had been in commission on the New Guinea goldfields, carrying passen gers and freight, since May, 1930. It was taken to New Guirtea by the late Mr. Les.

Holden. Prior to that, Mr. Holden and his Canberra had become famous for hav ing found and rescued Kingsford Smith and Ulm, when they were lost and in dis tress in North-west Australia.