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Plane crash off Karoro; amazing rescue

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DescriptionApril 1937
GBEYMOUTH ACCIDENT AEROPLANE FALLS IN SEA
PROMPT RESCUE BY SURF CLUB BATTLE WITH THE BREAKERS

A West Coast United Aero Club's De Havilland Moth aeroplane crashed into the Tasman Sea on the northern fringe of the Karoro airport, at Greymouth. this afternoon. The aeroplane was damaged extensively. The pilot, Mr. Ivan Quirtney, of Greymouth, suffered a cut on the forehead and shock. He had a remarkable escape from more serious injury. He was admitted to the Grey Hospital after a thrilling rescue from the surf by a member of the Greymouth Surf Life- Saving Club. Mr. Quinney, who is an experienced pilot, a former member of th» Canterbury Club, where he took up Firing, in 1930, was the holder of an !i endorsed pilot's licence. He took oil from the Karoro airport shortly before 2 p.m. on a local flight. He was practising vertical turns at a height of approximately 1000 ft. and it appeared that he flew back into his own slipstream, which caused temporary loss-of control and the aeroplane lost height very rapidly. He got out of a spin, bat went into another one. He was straightening out a second time with a burst of speed to pull himself out, but.there was insufficient height to recover and the aeroplane crashed landed the sea 200 yards from the shore. A Spectacular Crash
Tt was a most spectacular crash, water splashing over a wide area and to a great height as the machine completely disappeared from view. Eye-witnesses feared the worst. However, within a few seconds the tail of the aeroplane emerged from the water .and the pilot could be seen standing on the machine.
An onlooker made vacant attempts to swim out to rescue the pilot, bat heavy breakers were too severe. Within five minutes several members of the Greymouth Surf Life-saving Club Tere on the scene with a reel and line, and the regular beltman, Mr. Ernest Price, swam out to the aeroplane and rescued the pilot, after a grueling tussle with the waves, within a quarter of an hour of the mishap. Machine Hauled Ashore As the pilot was taken off the aero plane by the rescuer the machine appeared to right itself from its vertical position in the sea and gradually floated shoreward?, in spite of a receding tide. When about 50 yards from the shore willing helpers attached a rope to it and it was hauled up on to the beach a mangled mass of wreckage through its severe impact with the sea and battering while at the mercy of the waves. The aeroplane was immediately dismantled and removed to the Greymouth Aero Club's hangar. The aeroplane is regarded as almost a total loss, and the mishap will leave the West Coast Aero Club without a training machine for over a week, when it is hoped to have the club's other Moth training machine in operation again. At present it is tinder survey for a certificate of airworthiness. Previous Accident The aeroplane involved in to-day s crash had only last week again been placed in commission following the repair of damage received in a landing by Mrs. J. S. Langford. at Hokitika. some time ago. The fuselage was quite intact when the machine was recovered from the sea, but the engine had been forced back some inches into the cockpit, a propeller blade shattered." and all the super structure and canvas crumpled. -The machine was originally on loan from the Government and'was taken over by the club about three years ago, at a cost of about £llOO. Its value before the crash was estimated at £SO. The salvaging operations were carried out under the direction of Flight Lieutenant W. F. Parke, pilot-instructor to the West Coast^Club. Pilot Unable to Swim Mr. Quinney, who is a single man and a waterside worker, of Greymouth, aged 36.years, had a most remarkable escape first from serious injury and secondly from drowning, as he was strapped into the machine and cannot swim.
A large crowd soon gathered on the beach. The Surf Club came in for much praise for its prompt work and a substantial sum was contributed to the club's funds by the spectators.Map^[1]

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Location (city or town)KaroroOrganisation (eg business)Surf Life SaversGreymouth Aero ClubEventPlane crash

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Plane crash off Karoro; amazing rescue