Page 127 - KBHA Bulletin 10

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Lieutenant Gearing and Sergeant Way made one last flight on 8 January 1919 in the
aircraft, named Rio de Janeiro Britons No. 2 (serial No. 3110). The purpose of the flight

now seems obscured by what followed.

Cape Times: 10 January, 1919.

AIRPLANE MISHAP AT MUIZENBERG
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GEARING’S MACHINE FOULS ELECTRIC STANDARD
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Plunges into the Sea Near the Pavilion

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After a series of successful flights over the Peninsula, Lieut. Gearing met with
an accident at Muizenberg last evening while flying in company with his mechanic,
Corporal Way. The aircraft was sighted about 5 o’clock, and coming low down circled
over the Muizenberg Pavilion, to the admiration of a huge crowd of visitors and bathers
gathered on the beach. It was a little after, that when skimming over the top of the
Pavilion, the machine fouled a tall electric light standard, causing the aeroplane to tilt at
a dangerous angle and finally plunge into the surf some twenty yards from the shore.
Corporal Way sustained severe injuries about the face and head which necessitated his
removal to Wynberg Hospital, while Lieut. Gearing escaped with a severe shaking. The
machine was badly damaged, and a relief party was despatched to remove the aero-
plane. Needless to say the accident caused a big sensation among the crowd.

Inquiries made at the Military Hospital last night show that while Corporal Way is
badly injured about the mouth, nothing more serious has befallen him.

Although attempts were made to repair the aircraft it was eventually stripped and
scrapped. (Figs. 3.26 & 3.27).

In recognition of South African involvement in the war the British Government
resolved to grant South Africa 100 aircraft complete with equipment and spares to form

the South African Air Force. Lieutenant Gearing and Sergeant Way, by now recovered
from their mishap, were selected to fly the second BE 2e from Johannesburg to Roberts

Heights in March 1920. On arrival they officially presented the Rio Gallegos Britons