CRASH OF AIR FREIGHTER

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28512, 15 February 1958, Page 6

CRASH OF AIR FREIGHTER

“Engine Noise” Evidence (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, February 14. Before the Straits Air Freight Express Bristol Freighter which crashed at Russley golf course, Christchurch, on November 21 left Paraparaumu the pilot, Captain R. B. Hamilton, commented on a noise he had heard in the starboard engine, said a witness at the inquest which resumed today into the deaths of the four occupants. Those who died in the brash were Captain Hamilton, the “Safe” operations manager; Thomas Mark Anthony O’Connell, the general manager; Helge Hall Torgerson, the first officer; and James McLaggan, Railways Department air freight controller. In evidence today, John Livingston Cowan, of Wellington, a former station engineer employed by S.A.F.E. at Paraparaumu, said that he was on duty at Paraparaumu on November 21 when the freighter was unloaded and reloaded there. He said that he spoke with Captain Hamilton on the plane’s serviceability before Captain Hamilton boarded the aircraft. The discussion referred to a noise Captain Hamilton had said he had heard in the starboard engine. Wing Attachment Cowan said: “I now think, in view of what happened, that the noise was due to a failure on the wing attachment point. No investigation of the wing assembly was made.” Captain Hamilton was quite happy, about the aircraft and no reference was made about vibration in it, said Cowan. Captain Hamilton said that he was going to keep an eye' on the banging noise and probably have it investigated on return to Paraparaumu airport if it recurred. Cowan said that he would have made an investigation of the noise had it been called for. Herbert John Baile, of Paraparaumu, employed by S.A.F.E. as an engineer, gave evidence of checking the freighter’s oil and petrol at Paraparaumu. No petrol was required. He put four gallons of oil in the port engine and two in the starboard. He heard nothing of any abnormality in the freighter until well after the crash. He did not speak with Captain Hamilton. The inquest was before the Coroner, Mr W. G. L. Mellish. It is understood that the inquest will be concluded in Christchurch yrithin the next few days.