DAMAGED IN STORM

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 147, 18 March 1931, Page 9

DAMAGED IN STORM

Cause of RlOl Disaster LEAK FROM GASBAGS Air Officials Exonerated CONCLUSIONS OF COURT By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright. (Rec. March 17, 7.30 p.m.)' London, March 17 The airship RIOI met disaster owing to her fabric being torn in the storm, states the "Daily Herald” in an exclusive revelation of the conclusions of the court of inquiry, whose report is in the printer s hands, and will be published within a few weeks The Court will exonerate Lord Thomson and the Air Ministry from blame and show that Flight-Lieutenant H. C. Irwin, captain of the airship, did everything in his power to avert the disaster. , While absolute certainty concerning the cause will never be reached, the disaster is attributable to loss of gas from the front bags due to a storm, and a tear in the upper cover. The court is believed to be satisfied that there was no defect in the structure. It Is likely to state that there was lack of adequate preliminary tests, but the flight itself to India was meant as a test under tropical conditions. Flight-Lieutenant Irwin has been vindicated on the ground that he managed to right the ship after a steep dive, and when he found the craft going into a second dive, did his utmost to avert disaster by shutting off each engine separately.

On October 4 the giant airship RlOl, which left Cardington for India was blown up near Beauvais, France, and 4b lives were Jost. The airship was commanded by Flight-Lieutenant 11. C. Irwin, with Squadron-Leader E. L. Joynson as najigator; Lieutenant-Com-mander N G. Atherstone, and Flying Officer M. H. Steif, also Mr. M. A. Giblett, Superinendent of Airships at the Meteorological Office, and 37 noncommissioned officers and men. The passengers included Lord Thomson, Air* Minister. Sir Sefton Brancker, Director of Civil Aviation; Squadron-Leader Palastra,- of the Royal Australian Air Force; Mr. W. H. L. O'Neill, representing the Secretary of State for India; Wing-Commander Colmore, Director of Airship Development; Lieutenant-Colonel V. 0. Richmond, who was the chief designer, and Major G. H. Scott, who was in charge of the expeditlOOne of the survivors, said-“ There was no warning, not a minutes. As. the airship lurched to the earth it burst into flames, and then crashed into the hilltop. Everybody aboard was asleep except the watch and the pilot. The motors were working perfectly. The airship, battling with the storm of rain and wind, dipped three times, and then a violent gust hurled her to the ground. It was at that moment that the explosion occurred.” ... . . .. Another said: “It was terrible, but it should add another page to the story of British heroism. Captain Irwin was the hero. As I fought my way through the flames I saw him standing at his post giving orders. He did not attempt to save his own life.”