DANGER TO FLYERS?

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 134, 2 March 1936, Page 10

DANGER TO FLYERS?

Anemometer Mast at Rongotai EXPERTS GIVE OPINION Resumed Inquest on Famous Airman VERDICT ON WEDNESDAY Should the anemometer mast at Rongotai aerodrome be removed in Ihe interests of flyers? Expert opinion on the point diflered at tile resumed inquest on Saturday into the death of Squadron-Leader M. C. McGregor. Recalled to the witnessbox, Squadron-Leader G. L. Stedman said that whereas he once regarded the mast aS a menace fo beginners only, lie now looked upon it as potential danger to everybody, m view of the recent tragedy. The opinion that the mast was “quite all right” where it was was expressed by the Director of Air Services, WingCommander T. M. Wilkes, and from a meteorological point of view Dr. E. Kidson said he thought it was in Hue best iwsition for efficient work.

The coroner, Air. E. Gilbertson, will give his verdict on Wednesday. , Sub-Inspector U. E. Roach appeared for the police, Mr. J. O’Shea for the City Couueii, Air. W. N. Alatthews lor the relatives of the late Squadron Leader AlcGregor, Air. C. G. White for Union Airways, and Air. G. R. Powles for the Wellington Aero Club. When the inquest was resumed on Saturday morning, Squadron Leader Stedman, instructor of the Wellington Aero Club, was recalled at the request of Mr. O’Shea.

Air. O’Shea: Ju the newspaper you are reported as having stated that the anemometer mast was a menace? Squadron-Leader Stedman: Yes. Now, I put it to you' that it is rather in the nature of an obstruction than a menace? —“Yes, it could be both. I suggest to you that to say it is a menace is going too far, and that when you use that word you are criticising the whole of the aviation department, the city council and other people for having put it there. Did you intend to do that? —“No, definitely not. But what I say is quite correct.” The coroner: You confirm what jou say is a menace —“Yes, but -when I say that I do not mean to east aspersions on the city council or other people.” New'Site Suggested. Air. O’Shea: You did not consider the mast a menace before this accident, but you are satisfied in your own mind now that it is a menace?—“Yes.” The coroner: Had Squadron Leader McGregor flown over there before? • “Yes.” 1 , How often?—"l couldn’t say how often. He had been to Rongotai many times in the last few years. He had been over that direction before, but iust how many times I-couldn’t say. Where do you suggest the meter should be re-erected?—There is a number of places. A good place would be about 10 yards closer to the power lines.” It would be just as effective theie. “Yes.” Do you think the wind sock should be removed?—“Yes, I think it is an obstruction where it is.’ Is it a menace? —“Well, it is an obstruction.” Mr. O’Shea: Now, as to putting tne anemometer near the wires, there would be an objection to that on the ground that it would be going into a disturbed atmospheric area?—’ I don t think 10 yards would make a great deal of difference.” What about the hill. — lhat wouldn’t affect it.” There is a conflict of opinion about that? “To move it where I suggest would not affect reading in the slightest degree.”

Do you know that the position of the anemometer was fixed by WingCommander Dalton in with Dr. Kidson in 1029?— That may have been so, but it may have been proved that a mistake was made.”

Have you or the club made any protest to , the town clerk? —“Not in writing.” The coroner: You have made a verbal protest?—“l have not put in a protest, but have remarked that those things are in a bad position.” You have asked for their removal*?— “No.”

You have mentioned the matter?— “Yes.”

Mr. O’Shea: To whom? —“Various members. I discussed it with Mr. Kidson, of the city engineer’s staff, recently.” Before or after the accident?—“Before.”

Air. Kidson is a member of your club?—“Yes.”

He has a flying license?—“Yes.” You discussed it with him only in the course of conversation? —“Yes, I was not making a definite complaint or protest that the anemometer should be removed.”

Sub-Inspector Roach: Your club realised it was dangerous and made a rule that club members were not to fly over it? —“Yes.” Mr. O’Shea: The rule is only a club rule?—“Yes.”

it does not affect other people coming on to the ground?—“No.” *'l am going to prove that the anemometer was placed there by direction of Wing Commander Dalton in consultation with Dr. Kidson and an officer of the city engineer’s department,” said Mr. O’Shea to the coroner. The coroner: But are these men flyers? Mr. O’Shea : Wing Commander Dalton was a flyer. The coroner: Oh! Mr. O’Shea : He was Director of Air Services at that time. Flew Too Low. Continuing. Mr O'Shea suggested that what had happened was that Squadron Leader McGregor had forgotten altogether about the obstacle and had flown very low over the wires. It was unfortunate that the matter had been raised at all. It was a case of an expert taking too big a risk. “I submit there is no ground for attacking this as a menace,” he added. “Squadron Leader Stedman has told us that there was no danger to experienced men. The by-law was for beginners." The coroner asked whether an airman would carry knowledge of all-the details of a ground in his head. Mr. O’Shea: They know these things

just as the commander of a vessel coming into Wellington knows the lights. The coroner: You say the mast is visible? Mr. O'Shea: Yes, it was coloured especially to be visible. The point is, Squadron Leader AlcGregor was shaving things too close. Air. Alatthews: That is not admitted. Mr. O’Shea: Of course, nothing' is admitted. The only thing is that an attack has been made on the aerodrome. In reply to Air. O'Shea, Squadron Leader Stedman said that Squadron Leader McGregor had landed at Rongotai many times. Air. O’Shea: Would you have expected him to have known where that thing was?—“Yes, definitely. Sub-Inspector Roach: Arb the telephone wires on the south side any danger to aviators? —"Any obstruction on the edge of au aerodrome foreshortens the aerodrome.” Are they as easily discernible as the anemometer? —"The posts which hold them up are a bit thicker than the anemometer and therefore, I suppose, are easier to sec.”

“Anybody going to hind anywhere looks round for high-powered wires and, of course, goes over the top oi them. This is not the only aerodrome in New Zealand which lias high-powered wires running along its boundary. We don’t like * hem, but we can’t do anything about it, added Squadron-Leader Stedman.

The coroner: Assuming this anemometer pole were a danger, do you consider the other obstructions equally dangerous?—“Yes.” If you had your way you would remove them all?—“Yes.” The anemometer pole is not the sole menace? —“No.” Mr. Matthews: You have told us that this south-south-west is an unusual wind?—“lt is not the prevailing wind.” Skill Not Questioned. From your knowledge of this wind at the aerodrome and of the number of times the late Squadron Leader McGregor had been in and out there, do you think it is quite possible that this may have been the first experience he had of this south-south-west wind? — “No, because I can remember him coming over that place before on at least one occasion.” Other - witnesses from the aerodrome have said they never remembered him coming in oilier than on this occasion? —“Well ” “Nobody said that,” interposed Mr. O'Shea. Mr. Matthews: You can talk afterward, Mr. O'Shea. Mr. O’Shea (emphatically) : No, 1 can’t talk afterward. The coroner: It doesn’t matter. Get on with it. Mr. Matthews (to witness): You don’t suggest it would be an unsafe course for a man of McGregor’s experience and skill to take? —“No.” His skill would enable him to estimate the factors and clear any obstacle that was in his way?—“Yes.” In other words, no question is made of his skill? —“None whatever.” “In addition to the rules that have been discussed, you say you made complaints to different persons?” asked Mr. Matthews. Mr. O’Shea: He did not say that. Squadron Leader Stedman: I discussed the matter in conversation. Mr. Matthews: You want to distinguish that from an official complaint?—“Yes, no official complaint was made.” Did you ever mention it to Mr. Mackenzie? —“1 don’t know. I rather fancy we have discussed it, but I couldn’t give you the time or date or anything else. You see Mr. Mackenzie is not a. flying man.” Would the gusty nature of the wind make it more difficult to estimate your landing point on the aerodrome? —“Yes.” “Couldn’t Get a Safer Pilot.” We have it in evidence that the late Squadron Leader McGregor burst his engine three times. I suggest to you that that is evidence of an endeavour to lengthen his glide into the aero? drome?—“l would say it indicated he was too, low to come in without his engine.” From your knowledge of Mr. McGregor do you think he would consciously take a risk of flying in dangerous proximity to the anemometer or the wires?—“On the job he was doing you couldn't get a safer pilot.” No, I am coming to that. I suggest that the anemometer is a menace in the sense that conditions may arise to produce an unfortunate happening such as we have in this case.—“ The answer to that is that in the past I considered those obstructions a potential danger to new pilots. As a result of this accident I say they are a potential danger to everybody, because an accident has happened to a first-class pilot.” Wing Commander Wilkes said that at about 3.10 p.m. on February 19 he was informed by the Wellington Aero Club that the Miles Falcon plane ZKAEI, owned by Union Airways, Ltd., had crashed at Rongotai. He arranged immediately to inspect the machine and commence inquiries. On arrival at Rongotai he found that the pilot, Squadron Leader McGregor, was injured. , i Inspection of Machine.

“I spoke to him in the ambulance, but received no reply,” said Wing Commander Wilkes. “I next examined the wrecked machine. I found the machine lying on its back on top of the right wing, which was folded back. The flaps were in the normal landing position and fully lowered. The aileron and elevator controls were intact, and connected up, and all control surfaces were free. The leading edge of the right wing was crushed and the spar was broken approximately 6ft. to 7ft. from the tip.”

Wing Commander Wilkes said it was quite apparent that the wing had received a blow or come in contact with some object. The wind vane of the anemometer was lying among the wrecked portion of the wing. As the anemometer mast was bent and the vane missing from the top, it indicated lhe wing actually came in contact with I he mast. The chart on the recording drum of the anemometer showed that the instrument was thrown out of I • lion at approximately 3.10 p.m„ and that at the time of stopping the wind speed was varying from 18 to 35 miles an hour, in a general direction of south-south-west. Sub-Inspector Roach: Have you any opinion to offer as to the cause of the accident? Would the wind deflect the aeroplane on to the mast? The gusty nature of the wind would certainly affect the landing.” The wind, added Wing Commander Wilkes, was gusty, from 16 to 35 an hour at the time. Squadron Leader Me j'regor would realise that the wind was foreshortening his landing; the fact that he gave two bursts of his engine showed that he realised it. Then, after the second, according to the evidence of his passenger, be was looking out to the left. That was perfectly I normal. Wing Commander Wilkes demon- 1

strafed by means of grap' -- and instruments what would be the effect of varying winds and how, theoretically, the machine would clear the anemometer mast, after clearing the power lines by a certain margin, in one wind speed, but, with a different wind speed, would strike the mast. In no wind the distance from the power lines to the mast, at an estimated speed of 60 miles an hour (and the machine was probably doing 65 miles an hour) would be covered in I.ssec.; in a wind of 15 miles an hour it would take 1.56 sec.; and in a wind of 35 miles an hour it would take 2.B6scc.

“To my mind,” said Wing-Com-inander Wilkes, “the thing is clear as crystal. Ho was coming in and realised that he was being foreshortened by the wind. lie gave two hursts, and was then satisfied he was nil right. He did not realise that he was again foreshortened. When a pilot is coming in he does not Took at the ground below; he looks straight ahead for his landing. H might have been while he was leaving the right to look out on the left that the accident happened.” The coronet; Do you consider it au error of judgment?—“ln the Air Force the term ‘error of judgment’ is not used in a blameworthy sense; rather is it used in the sense that a man has been given a sum to work out and has arrived at a wrong answer.” “A Matter of Compromise.” Do you consider that the mast was an obstacle?—“l consider the anemometer au obstruction to landing in the same way as any other building on the aerodrome is an obstruction.” Do you consider that it should be removed from its present position?—“The placing of an anemometer is always a matter of compromise, between flying requirements and meteorological remen ts.”

Have you had a complaint from the aero club as to the position of the anemometer or the wind sock? —“No.” Could you of your own volition have had it removed?—“Quite easily.” In the present circumstances do you consider it should be removed? —“No, it is quite all right. We mark it on our pilots’ chart as an obstruction. We certainly warn pilots of it in the same way as we warn them of other obstructions.” Wouldn’t it be better to move it back? —“I don’t know that it would function as well.” Mr. O’Shea: Is it necessary in your opinion to have an anemometer on an aerodrome?—“l should say it was desirable.” Is it desirable to have it as far out in the open as possible?—“You are asking a layman for his opinion when you ask that question. I know that an anemometer up against a building would be useless.” The coroner: How far away?—“ln a disturbed atmospheric area. We will put it that way.” Mr. O’Shea Objects. Mr. Matthews: I suggest there are plenty of places on the aerodrome where this anemometer could be put where it would not be an obstruction to flying?—“Well, if you put it somewhere else you would be putting an obstruction where none existed at present.” It has been suggested that if it were put 15 yards nearer to the lines Mr. O’Shea: By whom has it been suggested? i Mr. Matthews: I am asking Wing Commander Wilkes, Mr. O’Shea. I am asking him whether if it were 15 yards; nearer the road it would be as much an obstruction as it is now? Wing Comamnder Wilkes: No; but, as I say, I don’t know that it would function. I quite understand you can’t run an aerodrome without some obstruction, but if an obstruction is placed On an aerodrome do you receive official advice of it? —“Yes.” Inspections for licenses are made annually?—“Yes.” Mr. O’Shea: I have to ask leave to cross-examine on this matter. Mr. Matthews: You can do what you like, Mr. O’Shea. Mr. O’Shea: I am not asking your opinion. The coroner: What is the question. Mr. Matthews? Mr. Matthews: I asked the witness whether his department would be notified in the event of an obstruction being placed on an aerodrome and he said yes. May I put this question to him: For the 'greater safety of flyers is it the practice of the department to send out notices to airmen advising them of any obstruction? Wing Commander Wilkes: Yes. Mr. Matthews: Has this building been included? Mr. O’Shea: I object to that. Mr. Matthews: I am endeavouring to find out the practice. Mr. O’Shea: You are not endeavouring to find out anything at all. Wing Commander Wilkes: The anemometer wrts put there at the time the aerodrome was licensed. It was put there with the approval of our department. Mr. E. P. Norman, town clerk, put in correspondence to show that the City Council had acted in accordance with the requirements of the Director of Air Services. The coroner: It was thought that 25 feet would not be a danger, yet it has been proved to be a danger. This correspondence does not eliminate the fact that there was a danger. Mr. O’Shea: It does prove that we cannot shift it without instructions. Dr. Kidson’s Evidence. Dr. E. Kidson. Director of Meteorological Services, gave evidence of a conference in November. 1929. between himself, another officer of his department. the then Director of Air Services and a City Council engineer at Rongotai, when the location of the anemometer bouse was decided upon as the most suitable one. Necessarily, the position was arrived at by compromise, having regard to flying requirements as well. Mr. O’Shea: What do you think of fhe suggestion that the anemometer should be placed 15 yards further back? —“That was discussed at the conference and my opinion was against it. on account of the interference from the hill and the buildings to the north.” The coroner: Would it be possible to lower the mast still further? —“I think It would be better not to have it there at all than to lower it ” Mr. O’Shea: It would be a trap, would it?—“lt might be entirely misleading. It would not be accurate.” Thg coroner: Is it possible to put the anemometer anywhere else on the ground with equally good results?—“lf the aerodrome was extended it might be possible to find another equally effective site. 1 consider that it is in Ute best position on Ihe present aerodrome for efficient work.” The coroner said he would give his verdict on Wednesday morning.