FATAL ERROR.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 99, 29 April 1933, Page 11

FATAL ERROR.

LEARNING TO FLY.

HAMILTON PUPIL'S DEATH.

lOST SPEED WHILE GLIDING.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

HAMILTON", this day.

The inquest into the death of Raymond Eric Land, aged 19, son of jlr. and Mrs. E. G. Land, of Hamilton, w ho crashed in a Bluebird 'plane at T e Rapa aerodrome on Sunday, April 2 was held to-day. The coroner found that he was killed accidentally while learning to fly.

Robert Raymond Money, aviation instructor, said he was teaching Lani to fly, and Land took his first solo flight on March 2G. On the day of the accident lis made two successful landings, and was about to make a final landing. The conditions were perfect and the 'plane had been thoroughly tested and examined. Land lost flying speed when turning to land near the aerodrome, and the engine stalled and the 'plane fell vertically from a height of 100 ft. Its nose was buried in mud at the foot of a gully. The pilot was found lying at the bottom of the cockpit, conscious but incoherent.

"In my opinion, he fell into the simplest type of flying error, namely, losing speed while gliding," said the witness. "There was no suggestion, of engine failure."

Thomas George Mullan, engineer, and holder of a pilot's license, corroborated this evidence.

Dr. M. M. Hockin, medical superintendent of the Waikato Hospital, said Land was admitted to hospital about 11.30 a.m. His condition appeared to improve, but he collapsed and died at 4.45 p.m. Death was due, in his opinion, to shock following injuries.