Flying and Safety

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21356, 26 December 1934, Page 8

Flying and Safety

Two months ago Holland was receiving the congratulations of the whole world on the performance of its newest machine in the Centenary air race; and those congratulations, and the publicity the machine received then, have made the crash of the Douglas in the desert a far greater loss than it would otherwise have been. The loss of an aeioplane, of a crew of four, and three passengers, would be a serious blow to any air line, for the public, having got over the idea that anyone who flies is a daredevil, now seems to expect aviation to be exempt from the risks that are associated with all other forms of transport. But the loss of the Douglas means more to its owners than the loss of one of the fleet of Fokkers would have done. The fastest twin-engined commercial aeroplane in the world, and undeniably one cs' the best, it was so novel to Europe that, apart from its performance in the air race, it received tremendoug publicity. The enthusiasm of those who described it must have led many people to believe that it was less likely to have accidents than other aeroplanes, and consequently the tragedy may have an effect on timorous travellers out of proportion to its real importance. Actually the machine was on one of those record [flights on which the Royal Dutch

Air Line prides itself, and which have, in the past, materially added to the firm's prestige. In such circumstances, with the prospect of creating a new record in the new machine, the pride of the fleet, even a pilot with the great experience of Commander Beekman might be tempted to push on in weather which on an ordinary flight might have kept him on the giound. This applies especially to a section of the route wiiere ground organisation is not as good as is essential to safety in bad weather flying at night. The difference between this flight and an ordinary scheduled flight, of which hundreds finish safely, without a headline, every day and every night, must be remembered. And even when ground organisation is perfect, and aeroplanes are much more perfect than they are now, people will still be killed occasionally, just as they are in motor-cars, ships and trains. At present flying, though not completely safe, is not a dangerous means of transport. The average traveller, setting out to get killed in an accident, would have to fly a distance equivalent to yoing round the world several hundred times.