Small Seaplane Lost In Lau
p. 12 · Read in the full issue
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Prom Our Own Correspondent SUVA, March 1 A SINGLE-ENGINED Cessna seaplane recently imported from America by Mr. Harold Gatty, for his own use, drifted from its moorings at Katafaga in the Lae Group on February 25 and has not been found.
Mr. Gatty expected to use the plane, which has accommodation for three passengers and a pilot, to fly from Suva to his plantation at Katafaga. It would also have been available for charter flights within the Colony. It was assembled in Suva just a week before it was lost and on February 24 Mr. Gatty and Mr. T. French, who acted as pilot flew to Lau from Suva.
A canoe chased it when it drifted from its moorings but was unable to approach it in the rough sea. A RNZAF Catalina made repeated attempts to locate it in the two days following but the small air craft had apparently disappeared.
Mr. Gatty intends to replace the plane as soon as possible.