A MISCALCULATION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 1, 2 January 1934, Page 9

A MISCALCULATION.

CAUSE OF FATAL AIR CRASH. TURN AT LOW SPEED. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) HASTINGS, Monday. The inquest into the circumstances surrounding the death of Hugh Clawsen Curlett, aged 36, who was killed at the Napier aerodrome on December 24 as the result of an aeroplane crash, was concluded to-day, a formal verdict being returned. Andrew Graham Gerrand, pilot instructor to the Hawke's Bay and East Coast Aero Club, gave evidence that the plane was in an airworthy condition. There was no doubt, in liis opinion, that the pilot, after climbing to a Certain height, commenced to turn with an air-speed that was unduly low. He did not think the velocity of the wind would have any effect on the machine once it was in the air. A miscalculation was evidently the cause of the crash.

An eye-witness of.- the crash said tjhat Mr. Curlett tqok off into, the wind after a short run the ground for about two chains. A very strong wind was blowing from the north-west, with now and again some very fierce gusts. The aeroplane took off very well and proceeded normally for about 200 yards until it reached a height of 100 ft or more from the ground. Witness then noticed the right wing drooping a little, while the left wing was rising. The machine turned completely round facing the east and then dived steeply and crashed to the ground. Up to the point that the machine commenced to turn, the engine was functioning properly. He heard no spluttering or misfiring which 'might indicate that there was a fault in the engine.

Richard John Pellow, ground engineer for the club, stated that he examined the remains of the machine, which was a complete wreck. The rudder and tail planes were only slightly damaged. These parts, together with the engine, wheels and instruments, were the. only portions of the aeroplane that were not severely damaged. He found the control cables intact, while the rudder and tail planes were also intact and in their correct position. The engine switches were both in the "on" position, indicating that the engine had not been switched off. It was imposible to test the question of a failure in the fuel supply as the fuel pipes and tank were broken and displaced. The engine ignition and petrol supply appeared to be in good order.