SMITHY'S 'PLANE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 230, 28 September 1934, Page 7

SMITHY'S 'PLANE.

SERIOUS OBSTACLE.

Structure Not Examined by

U.S. Department.

FLYER URGED TO WITHDRAW?

(United F.A.-Elcctric Telegraph-Copyright)

WASHINGTON", September 27.

The Australian Press Association is informed that although the Department of Commerce is satisfied that the data of Sir Charles Kingsford Smith's Lockheed 'plane is quite accurate, nevertheless "the Department cannot issue a certificate on structure which they had not inspected." A variety of circumstances has contributed to" make the situation confused and most unsatisfactory. The Department of Commerce has intimated that since responsibility in the event of accident would clearly be theirs, they cannot, as a matter of public policy, givo a certificate without a direct inspection. Machine Altered In Construction. It is further stressed that the machine not only was not inspected, but had been altered in various ways to conform to Sir Charles Kingsford Smith's personal desires, thereby further accentuating the need of a Departmental inspection. There has also been some questioning here why the Australian air authorities have not volunteered to inspect the machine and vouch for it to the United States Department of Commerce in order to facilitate the necessary certificate. It was stressed that if it were only technicalities that needed to be overcome, these could have been managed well enough, but it is rumoured that there is more behind the situation than appears on the surface. "Smithy's" Physical Condition. It is being asserted that the aviator'* physical condition has been such as to cause considerable concern, and that various quarters have made efforts to induce "Smithy" to abandon his plans to participate in the race. While in informed circles here there has not been any tendency to criticise the Department of Commerce in its reluctance to issue a certificate, it is' stressed that the unfortunate impression has been created by its failure to indicate from the very beginning, when the application for a certificate was made, that it would not issue such without its own inspection. The Australian Government Office in New York, which has been in constant communication with the Department in an effort to obtain a decision, indicated annoyance at "the failure on the part of the Bureau of Air and Commerce to have stated clearly fully one month ago that in any circumstances they would | not be free to certify a structure which j they had not inspected."