The New York herald., 1922-08-13
PEASANTS COMPEL
BALLOONIST TO LAND
Major Westoyer Forced to
Interrupt Bennett Cup
Flight.
SEIZE HIS DRAG ROPE
Hungarians Engage Him in
Argument on Legal
Status.
PILOT AND BAG LOSE AIR
nischarging Ballast, He Re-
sumes, Only to Be Stopped
Again.
PILOT AND BAG LOSE AIR

PARIS, Aug. u ASSOCIATED Press) -
Forced to descend from an altitude of
10000 feet because Of decreasing wind
lower level to obtain the advantage of
the wind. Major Oscar Westoyer, the
American pilot, made a landing on
August at Csorocetnek, Hungary.
when peasants seized the drag rope
and insisted upon waiting for the
country constable to pass upon the
legal aspects of the fight, according
to- the account sent by the American
pilot to the Associated Press tonight.
Major Westover's landing was made
at 9:35 o'clock last Monday morning.
In his account, the American balloon
ist said that when the wind died down
at the 10000 feet altitude the balloon
was carried off its course and he i'm
mediately decided to seek lower level
where he observed that the wind was
good and eastward. as he wished
He lowered the drag rope so as to
obtain an advantage in wind without
the loss of BALLAST After the rope had
dragged for about 500 yards with
good breeze. it was seized by a group
OF peasants, who refused to release the
rope.
Lost Gas and Air.
Major Westover. in his account. said
that ne made desperate appeals and
protests tosthe peasants to let go. They
replied in German. After sufficient ex-
plantations had been given they allowed
he balloon to proceed. Much gas had
hapn lost whtla tho ha11pnt, hod
held by the peasants against the wind.
Major Westover was forced to dis
charge his ballast in order 20 ascend.
After gaining slight altitude and OBJ
taining good breeze, before the tail rope
had left the ground. the balloon was
stopped again by another large group
of peasants who had rushed In it's course
Again, gas was lost and despite all ap-
reals, the balloon again was held An
ether series OF explanations were re-
peated end. finally another start was
mede. out with difficulty, as the balloon
\ was continuing to lose gas and the dis
Charge of its valuable ballast was in
evitable.
Peasants Again Grab Hold.
The rope on this occasion, left the
ground and was free from the peasants
when, after travelling for about a half
mile. Major Westover was forced to let
il down again. This time more peas
ants insisted on holding the balloon and
It's occupants until the arrival OF the
local constable with his gendarmcs. AS
the wind was freshening and the balloon
farachuting, Major Westover said he de-
cided to rip the balloon and end the
flight there.
The ballast remaining on the landing
consisted of about 400 pounds. in addi-
tion to the convertible ballast, such as
the oxygen tanks the reserve food. re-
serve heavy clothing. the lining TO the
basket. water canteen, the canvas bas-
ket cover, &c. An attempt to cut tine
rope would force the release of this
ballast. But the loss OF the drag rope
would have been OF greater Importance
than the ballast, for 1t would have
forced the balloon to higher attitudes,
where the direction and power of the
wind would be negligible.
Following the forced landing and the
arrival OF the various country officials
Major Westover received all kinds of
courtesies and apologies for the COM
pIications. Everything was finally
cleared up. and. with the assistance OF
;,u the local officers. the balloon was
housed and all customs clearances and
other formalities arranged for. The au-
.horities gave the American a letter ex-
pressing regret for the circumstances
which compelled the forced landing.