Samoan Air Disaster

Cause Still Unknown

Apia, December 30 THERE still is no formal explanation of the air disaster on December 11, when a New Zealand Air Force Catalina crashed after taking off for the Tokelau Islands, and seven members of her crew were killed. One member of the crew (Pilot Mace) and five civilians escaped, with shock and minor injuries.

The officer am charge o the airport at Faleolo Baj Mr. Silcock, had taken th( passengers two miles out t< the seaplane, and was re turning in the Gold Sta Go’s barge, when the sea plane began her take-oi run. She had gone abou 4,000 feet and had just be come air-borne, when sh veered first to the left, thei right, and again left; th left wing float becam

submerged; and the plane then dived an disappeared. It soon reappeared, an floated in a wrecked condition for a shoi time. Then it sank.

The barge, in charge of Captain Charli Miller, raced to the wreck, and picked u the six survivors, some of whom wer unconscious. Police, and a medical part from Apia Hospital, arrived within ha] an hour.

The plane was subsequently salvage( and the bodies of all missing ere' members were recovered. The passengei —mostly officials going to the Tokelai on a routine inspection—were: Professor Marples, of the University c Otago, New Zealand.

Dr. J, C. Lopdell, Director of Healt] Western Samoa.

Mr. F. J. H. Grattan, Secretary ( Samoan Affairs, W. Samoa.

Mr. H. Cole, Assistant Engineer, Publ Works Department.

Mr, Poutoa, cashier, Samoan Afifai]

Department.

Their escape from death is describt as almost a miracle.

Tail of plane showing the blister (bottom, left) from which survivors escaped.