SA: 1931 SIR LOWRY'S PASS CRASH (first SA Airmail disaster): Envelope from Durban (cds 12 NOV 31) to (presumably) England franked 2d pictorial, 4d air stamp. Perimeter burn-away, slightly charred at edges (as usual for mail recovered from this crash), the body of envelope remains sound and attractive. Accompanied by roneoed notelet "The Dept of Posts & Telegraphs of the Union of South Africa tenders regret for the damage to the enclosed letter caused through the crash & destruction by fire of the aeroplane conveying the Air Mail between Port Elizabeth and Cape Town on Friday November 13th 1913" and also correspondence between the owner of the recovered letter and LA Wyndham. The crash was caused by structural failure of the Puss Moth wing in turbulence over Sir Lowry's Pass (unlucky date Friday 13.11.13 too!). The pilot Capt W F Davenport and his two passengers together with most of the mail were incinerated. As the mail was of an entirely commercial nature few pieces survive. VF, rare. See additional images below.
Nine disasters involving the structural failure of Puss Moth wings occurred worldwide; the type was withdrawn from service and replaced by the more sturdily constructed Leopard Moth.
