AIRMAN'S DEATH

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 54, 4 March 1936, Page 10

AIRMAN'S DEATH

CORONER'S FINDING

POSITION OF MAST

MATTER FOR EXPERTS

The finding of the Coroner, Mr. E. | Gilbertson, who inquired into the death of Squadron-Leader M. C. McGregor, was that death occurred at the Wellington Public. Hospital on February 19 from injuries sustained through the crashing of the aeroplane of which he was the pilot when landing at the Rongotai aerodrome. The accident was caused by the aeroplane in its descent colliding with the mast of an anemometer near the aerodrome boundary. ."The evidence shows that Mr. C. W. F. Hamilton had chartered the Union Airways' Miles Falcon monoplane ZK-AEI to make a journey from Wellington to Hamilton and back again, Mr. A. V. Jury being the pilot detailed for the trip," said the Coroner. "When the aeroplane, on the return journey on February 19, 1936, had reached and had descended at Palmerston North, the deceased, Squadron-Leader M. C. McGregor, noting how bad the weather conditions were, decided thai he should take Jury's place and pilot the machine on to its destination at Wellington. Squadron-Leader McGregor was a- notable airman, with a great record. He was an experienced and careful pilot. "The passage on to Wellington was a stormy one and Rongotai aerodrome was reached at about 3 p.m. The direction of the wind was south-south-west and .this'necessitated his approaching the aerodrome from the northern side. The weather was misty, rain was falling, and the visibility was thus considerably impaired. The landing ground at Rongotai is not a particularly large one and pools of water lay there. "Nearing the aerodrome the deceased opened the window 'on the left-hand side of the cockpit so as to assist the visibility. In the aerodrome grounds, near to the northern boundary, is an anemometer structure, placed there for the purpose of recording the direction and strength of the wind. This structure consists of a small, low hut surmounted by a mast and vane, the top of the mast being 25 feet above the level of the ground. WIND GUSTY AND DIFFICULT. "The deceased flew the aeroplane sufficiently high to clear the house and the power lines on the street on the northern boundary of the aerodrome. The wind at this time was gusty and difficult, and this feature would have its effect on the elevation of the machine and would tend to foreshorten the descent. As the machine descended after clearing the power lines, its righthand wing fouled the anemometer mast. The aeroplane overturned and crashed, and the deceased suffered severe injuries from which he died a few hours later. The passenger, Hamilton, escaped with slight bruises. "The existence of this anemometer mast, must, I think, have been known to the deceased, for he had on other occasions landed at this aerodrome from the northern side. In the somewhat difficult weather conditions existing, the proximity of this mast to the course that he was taking may have escaped his recollection, or, if he recalled it, the gusty wind may have foreshortened his descent more than he realised. From the position of the. approaching aeroplane, the mast itself would be difficult to pick up through the rain-bespattered windscreen. These features were, in my opinion, responsible for the,crash. SITUATION OF ANEMOMETER. "At the hearing the question was raised as to whether the anemometer building was in the most suitable situation. Its situation was agreed to some years ago in. a consultation between representatives of the Air Force, the Meteorological Office, and the City Council. It is obvious that if an anemometer is to serve its purpose, it must.be erected in a position reasonably clear of buildings, trees, high ground, or other obstructions that would materially affect the speed or direction of the wind.

"It is a matter for the experts to decide whether a safer spot consistent with its adequately serving its purpose can be found for the anemometer."