AVIATION

Evening Star, Issue 19711, 11 November 1927, Page 4

AVIATION

BRITISH PILOT KILLED PARACHUTE FAILS TO OPEN. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright, LONDON, November 9. A pilotless Bristol fighter aeroplane flew onwards over East Grimstead after two members of the Air Force had jumped out at a height of 2,000 ft. The pilot’s parachute did not open, and his body was found with the hand still clutching the ring. The observer reached the ground safely. The aeroplane has not been traced.

A COMPLETE MYSTERY

LONDON, November 10

(Received November 11, at .noon.)

The Bristol Fighter was found wrecked, after a long search, 200yds from, the pilot’s body. The reason the airmen jumped out has nob been explained. Considerable over the ail piano smash is not likely to bo cleared up before the inquiry. Jt is variously reported that the ’plane went on fire after an explosion, and the airman, unable to control the outbreak, jumped out. On the other hand, an examination of the wrecked machine shows no definite signs of fire before tbe crash.

It is believed that the' airmen were engaged on secret tests with pilotless flying, and took to their parachutes deliberately. The fact that an explosion was heard and that the machine travelled a bare couple of hundred yards thereafter, disproves this theory. Experts point out that only a certain type is capable of pilotless flying. Crosschannel passenger ’planes do not liy pilotless until their petrol is o.xhausled. Tho wreckage was discovered in a thick wood, hidden as though expertly camouflaged. It could not be seen until one was alongside it, and its nose was buried deeply iu the ground, with the wheels uppermost.—A. and A.Z. and ‘Sun ’ Cable.

GILES WAITS

SAN FRANCISCO, November 10

(Received November 11, at 11.15 p.m.). Owing to coastal storm Captain Giles has postponed his start for Honolulu until November 14. —A. and N.E. and ‘ Sun ’ Cable.

(Received November 11, at 12.45 p.m.) Captain Giles has now .announced that ho may start his flight to Hono lulu on November 12, as there are prospects of the weather clearing. He hopes to arrive at Honolulu in time for breakfast on November 13, after which he would fly to the island ol Vitilcvu, in the Fiji Group; thence to Brisbane and Wellington. FRENCH AIR SERVICE GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY. PARIS, November 10. (Received November 11, at 1.30 a.m.) The Chamber’s Finance Committee agreed to subsidise, the La Tocoere Company to the extent of £1,000,000 to establish an air' service between France and South America.—A. and N.Z. and ‘Sun’ Cable.