27 Apr 1952, "Plane Crashes at Tsun Wan"

Over 60 years ago, Gordon Randall made the headlines:

Here's how he remembers the day's events:

The accident happened just over 62 years ago, to be exact on the 27th April, 1952 when I was a Pilot Officer in the Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force based at Kai Tak airport. The commanding officer was A W Wood, Wing Commander DFC, BEM.

I was authorised for a low flying exercise around the Lantau  area when after forty five minutes of flight time at about 1230 hours in the vicinity of San Miguel Brewery, Castle Peak Road the Harvard's port wing tip touched the sea due to turbulence. With alarm bells ringing in my mind I also thought ‘Oh dear, action required.’ At that stage, I instinctively felt that it would be safer to ditch the aircraft. Gaining a bit of height, I turned off the fuel and switched off the ignition also tightened the harness and disconnected the R/T plug.

With the canopy open I proceeded as trained to ditch  at the lowest speed without stalling, by easing back on the control column in order that the tail of the aircraft touched the water first. Apart from the shudder on impact and the rumbling sound I felt no violent movement of the Harvard which then floated for a brief moment before the nose of the aircraft started to submerge. When the plane sank further, I was able without much effort to clamber out of the cockpit and enter the sea. I no longer felt threatened! I was brought ashore by a police launch which happened to be in the area. 

After making contact with Kai Tak, I was brought back to base and was confronted by the CO in his office. He was obviously concerned and sternly said to me only four words "You silly little man". Needless to say that dressing down was enough to make me feel so small. I was subsequently severely reprimanded.

On salvage, the aircraft categorised as scrap and a total loss. For the interest of wreck divers it was laid to rest in twenty six fathoms of water at 22 degrees 20’N and 114 degrees 05’E ! 

And here's how it was reported in the newspapers:

Thanks to Gordon for sharing his story.

Regards, David