A GREAT RECORD

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 23, 28 January 1935, Page 7

A GREAT RECORD

BRITAIN'S Alll FORCE LOW LEVEL OF ACCIDENTS In the year just ended the 'Royal Air Force has flown about 47,000,000 miles. Half-way to the sun! A hundred times to the moon and back! (wrote Major C. C. Turner in the "Daily Telegraph" at the close of December). Yet there have been fewer seriou* accidents in the Service than in any year since the war. So far this year there have been twenty fatal accidents, resulting in thirty-one deaths, at pilots and others engaged in duty-flying, including the Fleet Air arm, but not including an accident to R.A.F. officers on a civil .machine hired out for private flying. - Parachutes have played an important part in saving lifo; Since' they became standard equipment in 1926 they have saved at least 123 lives in the Air i Force. The last two years are here compared:— 1933. 1934. Seven saved In nix Fourteen' saved im accidents (one other seven accidents (lnUled from injur- eluding, 'our lives ics In the fall), and three lives saved -in sinjle - accidents). Last year the Air Force flew about 45,000,000 miles, and there were thirtynine fatal accidents, in which fiftyfour lives were lost. On inquiry .it the Air Ministry I learned that the decreased number this year lias been accompanied by an exceptionally good record as regards accidents non-fatal, but resulting in personal injuries'. The decrease, as compared, with 1933, is not, however, in quite the same proportion. The figures are not available. It is rightly pointed oiit that a two-yearly average, rather than a year by year one, should be taken. On that basis 1933 * and 1934 stand out as the best years on record. FRANCE'S FIGURES. The French Air Forces, with twice the number of aeroplanes, flew last year not more than 38,000,000 miles. The casualties included forty-five deaths. The British Air Force milage in 1921 was probably not more than 5,000,000, and in 1930 it was about' 20,000,000. The milage is based on hours flown, speeds, and other data. It -is not an official figure, but is a-close, restrained estimate. The continuous process of re-equip-ment steadily increases the'-aVerage speed of the Air Force.- Moreover, the year's remarkably good record as regards accidents is .the more'striking in view of the increased 'flying' in air exercises and manoeuvres-under conditions approximating to active service; In this year's.total one accident is included in which an' Air. Force 3ind a civil machine were involved.> - .'This accident, therefore, is also included in the list of civil flying accidents. The reduction in the casualty' rate is very striking when examined on the timo basis. In 1921 there, was one death in every 2238- hours 'flown, ia 1930 one death for every 9000 hours, and this year one death in 12,100 hours. The following table, shows the figures for fatal accidents during .the past fourteen years:—

CIVIL FLYING., The proportional casualties in civil flying cannot be Bhown until reports aro complete as to the amount-of frying done. It will probably-"be found that this-, has increased'by 100 per cent., or more, during thd year, for not only has Imperial Airways greatly increased its operational activities,, but there arc also to be taken into .account: : ■ The growth of inland air lines; A great increase in air taxi and special charter vroikj and A' steady, but slow,' increase in the number of private' aeroplane owners. The record for the past eight. yearg is:— Fatal .Accidents. ,Death*. 1927 6 .» 1928 13 . 1!) 1929 12 »3 1930 13 '17 1931 12 15 1932 13 ■' 1" 1933 18 ' 47 1934 24 43 In this year's totals the loss of ft French air liner in the Channel, and the collision of a French air liner with an obstruction on Croydon aerodrome, aro not included; nor does the list inoludo two fatal gliding accidents. Three fatal accidents in travelling flying "circuses" are included, and one to a pilot below the permissible pgo for flying. Examination of the causes of the accidents shows very clearly' that all of them, could, theoretically, have been avoided, and that many of them could very easily have been avoided..Human error . and the . taking of unnecessary and inexcusable risks are the principal causes, as in the vast majority-of road accidents. Regulations, supervision, and medical tests are steadying factors, ■ but there appears to be a need for tests which would eliminate pilots who, although skilful, are temperamentally disposed on occasion to be indiscreet. On the walls of some of, the flyinjf clubs is seen the excellent reminder: "If is better to be an-old pilot tha» a bold pilot."

V . No.'of Fatal _■ Squadrons. Accidents. Death*. 1921 33 22 ■' 27 1022 Hi 31 SI 1923 , 42% 32 4f> 1921 52 49 T2 1925 ,...;.. 51 - 41 " 58 " 1926 61 54 85 1927 63 40 57 1928 , fi9 SO 76 1929 75 ' ' 31 42 1930 82 41 U5 1931 ...".. 83 . 4r> - - 75 J932 88 31 **- 48 1933 88i£ ' 3!) ■ ' "54 1834- " 93 20 ;- •' 31