PLANE CRASHES INTO SHED TRAGEDY AT BLENHEIM. WELLINGTON, August 21. The following official announcement regarding a fatal Air Force crash at Blenheim to-day was issued to-night: An acting pilot under training of the Royal New Zealand Air Force was killed instantly at Blenheim today when the aircraft of which he was the sole occupant crashed into a farm shed at 12.20 p.m. The victim was Leading Aircraftsman Raymond Edward George Mason, his father being Mr J. H. Mason, To Maropai, Reid's Line, Feeding. Leading Aircraftsman Mason was engaged in solo flying practice when the accident occurred. The aircraft, which was a Vickers Vincent Trainer burst into flames when it struck the shed, being completely wrecked. The aircraft ambulance was quickly on the scone of the accident, which was about eight miles from the aerodrome. A Court of Inquiry is to be held tomorrow. The next-of-kin have been informed and condolences sent by the Minister of Defence. The deceased. who was in the course of completing his training and about to qualify for his wings, was 22 years of age and a very popular young man in Feilding before entering the Royal New Zealand Flying Corps. He first trained at Levin, then proceeding to Ohakea and on to New Plymouth, and recently went to Blenheim to finish off.  Much sympathy will go out to Mr and Mrs Mason in their very sad bereavement.

PAHIATUA HERALD, VOLUME XLIX, ISSUE 14520, 22 AUGUST 1940, PAGE 4 (edited to remove repetition)