PILOT'S ERROR

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 122, 20 November 1930, Page 19

PILOT'S ERROR

SEAPLANE WRECK

JSTO BLAME ATTACHABLE

The Court of Inquiry which investigated the accident to the New Zealand Air Force seaplane Fairey 111. has found that the pilot committed an error of judgment, but that no blame is attachable to anyone. On 29th October, tho machine, piloted by. FlightLieutenant S. -Wallingford, was undergoing a speed ■ test when it suddenly plunged into tho ' harbour. Corporal | H. Smith and A. G. Andrews were on board with the pilot, and the three men | had a narrow, escape-from, drowning, v The machine, which was, recovered, .was \ considerably damaged. • ; The Courtof Inquiry, comprised. Colonel J. E. Duigan, president, and Major R. Miles and Flight-Lieutenant H. B. Burrell. Its finding, which was forwarded to the. Minister of Defence, the Hon.: J. G. Cobbe, yesterday,'is as follows: — - - ■ (1) The- machine, was- tested before flight in accordance with, the Air Ministry regulations, and was reported to be airworthy. . '. (2) The examination of the machine after flight by Squadron-Leader L. M. Isitt shows that the controls were working efficiently .apart, from such damage as was caused by the ac-cident and subsequent, immersion in the sea. • (3) The accident occurred in the course of a speed test carried out by the pilot, Flight-Lieutenant S. Wallingford, N.Z.P.A.F., which test was quite within the scope of his duties as a service pilot. (J:) The accident was caused through an. error of judgment. on, the- part of Plight-Lieutenant Wallingford. (o) No blame is attachable to FlightLieutenant Wallingford or any other person in connection with the accident. It is understood that, in accordance ■with an, unofficial statement made some I iimo ago, a service pilot who is carrying out tests is entitled, to take risks which pilots would not otherwise be warranted in taking. In view of that,; a pilot may commit an error of judgment, but- still .-not? be culpable Tin the ordinary v sense. ''•,'■,. ■.