NIGHT FLYING ACCIDENT

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22414, 30 May 1938, Page 11

NIGHT FLYING ACCIDENT

CHRISTCHURCH PILOT KILLED EIGHT DEATHS RECORDED IN ONE DAY (non on on ooMifpoirowrt.) LONDON, May 11. A Sealand pilot’s crash at/11.30 p.m. on May 6, which wm followed by the machine bursting into flames, was described at the inquest at the Sealand aerodrome this week on Acting-Pilot Officer Errol Desmond Gimson, aged 21, of Christchurch. Flight Lieutenant Stevens said Gimson was a pupil and had had a fair amount of experience, witness had tested the aeroplane and found it to be in good condition.. Gimson had received instruction in night flying, and had made satisfactory landings. On Friday he was ordered to carry out two night landings. He made the first one perfectly, but on the second occasion .the machine bounced slightly, rose again, and went out of sight. Soon afterwards there was an explosion, and a sheet of flame in the south-west comer of the aerodrome. Flying Officer Richard Lloyd Acton Hammill said he took the aeroplane on a solo flight before Gimson went up, and found it in perfect order. He told the coroner: *T saw the machine spin around and strike ;the ground. There was an explosion, and it burst into flames.” . . •' The coroner said the Royal Air Force had already held an Inquiry into the technical* side of the matter. He considered it was quite clear that Gimson had had sufficient exp,eriy* fence to justify his being sent out on a solo flight. He returned a verdict of accidental death.

The funeral took place at Sealand on May 10. The High Commissioner for New. Zealand, who is at Geneva, was represented by Mr E. A. Broadridge. - This is recorded to be the fortieth fatal Royal Air Force accident this year. Yesterday eight flying deaths were recorded*