AIR FORCE ACCIDENT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 234, 2 October 1940, Page 6

AIR FORCE ACCIDENT.

PUPIL PILOT'S DEATH.

EVIDENCE AT THE INQUEST. XEW PLYMOUTH, Tuesday. An inquest into the death of LeadingAircraftsnian George William de Vere, pupil v ;,,>t > aged 23, as a result of injuries received in an accident at the Xew PI vmouth Air Force training school on September 0, was held to-day by Mr. W. H. Woodward, district coroner. In adjourning the inquest for the hearing of evidence by the house eurgeon at the hospital, the coroner pointed out that his verdict, when given, would eimply relate to the cause of death. It was not his duty to apportion blame.

A leading-aircraftsman involved in the accident said he was flying solo in a Moth Major, doing circuits and landings. When he was 500 or 600 yards from the aerodrome and 200 or 300 feet up he saw an aeroplane turning aerobe the -wand on the ground. He thought he would be well clear of it. Then he saw he wae going to be ehort on the approach and when he got a ibit lower he had to put the motor on. When he flattened out to land he could not see another aircraft in his path. The first tiir.u he realised there was another aeroplane tVr" was the moment of the crash. Ho believed he was air borne when he hit the other machine.

Flying-Officer B. L. Haybittle, flying instructor, said as de Vere's machine was coming to a standstill the other aeroplane approached it at a considerable rate. De Vore'is machine wjik hit in the centre of the fuselage. Just before the collision de Vere opened the throttle fully, but there was insufficient time to avoid a collision.

Flyjng-Oflicer F. J. McDonald said de Vere was justified in making a right turn across the gTound, which was according to the regulations.