AIR FATALITY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 37, 23 November 1940, Page 2

AIR FATALITY

aeroplane falls into sea.

INQUEST INTO DEATH OF PILOT.

(Per Press Association). AUCKLAND, November 22

A verdict of accidental death was returned by the Coroner (Mr F. K. Hunt) at an inquest into the death of Pilot-Officer Robert Michael Goldstone, aged 21, of Wanganui, as the result of a tragic accident on August 31, when a Tiger Moth plane crashed into the sea about 600 yards off Narrow Neele, drowning the pilot and injuring the copilot. A statement submitted fr,om PilotOfficer Royd Victor Le Pine, aged 24, of Wellington, the co-pilot of the aeroplane, stated that they were on a practice flight over the harbour in a twoseater machine with dual control. The method adopted was not for dual control to be used by the second pilot, but for the pilot to be in control of the aircraft.

After piloting the machine for 45 minutes, Le Pine returned to Hobsonville and changed over with Goldstone in charge. The idea was for the pilot in charge to explain the manoeuvres to the second pilot as though he were a pupil. Beginning of Spin. "I had my head forward listening to tlie explanations,” .stated Le Pine, “when I felt some unusual movement of the plane. I looked up and saw it had just commenced to spin. As Goldstone was in charge, I didn’t attempt to take control. Goldstone had more hours’ flying experience than I, and I naturally expected that after a couple of turns he would pull the craft out of the spin. , “Instead, the spinning became more violent. The sea was so close that a crash was unavoidable'. Therefore I relaxed my muscles to try to ease the impact. I don’t remember anything immediately after the machine!hit the water until just prior to my rescue from the sea.’’

Le Pine, in his statement, added that Goldstone did not speak from the time the spin began. Only the back of his head was visible, but so far as Le Pine could see, the pilot had not collapsed, and appeared to be looking straight ahead.

He had no opinion as to the cause of the accident, continued Le Pine. The plane was at a height of about 600 feet when the spin began. He suffered concussion, a fractured ankle, broken teeth and lacerations. Other witnesses* indicated that Goldstone’s body was found wedged in the nose of the machine, with the left lfeg wedged in the flooring of. the cockpit. Evidence was also given that the plane was in excellent condition, and that the weather was good.

The Coroner returned a verdict that Goldstone met his death by drowning through the crashing of an aeroplane into the sea.