RECENT AIR LINER DISASTER

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 52, 25 November 1929, Page 11

RECENT AIR LINER DISASTER

INQUEST CONCLUDED PILOT’S “AWKWARD POSITION” (British Official Wireless,) Rugby, November 22. The inquest was resumed to-day at Caterham on the seven victims of the disaster to the German air liner which struck some trees while flying from Croydon to Amsterdam and crashed in flames a fortnight ago. The victims were three passengers and four members of the crew, including the Prince Eugene von Schaumberg-Lippe. The inquest had been adjourned to enable Lieutenant-Commander Glen Kidston, the sole survivor, who was injured, to give evidence. The jury gave a verdict of accidental death. Commander Kidston, who is himself a well-known airman, made the suggestion that an experienced official should advise pilots in bad weather as to whether the conditions were suitable for flying. This, he said, would probably prevent a repetition of the disaster. There were times when pilots took risks, and he thought the case of the wrecked German aeroplane was one of them. SUGGESTIONS FOR AIR MINISTRY London, November 22. Commander Glen Kidston declared that the pilot, who has the responsibility of deciding whether there should be a flight, was placed in a most awkward position. “He is expected to start. Although he has misgivings, he feels it better to have a shot. There ought to be an experii enced official to look at the weather report and decide whe’ther flights should be cancelled or delayed.” The jury added a rider that the pilot ought to be relieved of the responsibility of starting on foggy mornings and suggested that the Air Ministry should examine Commander Kidston’s suggestion.