LOSS OF R101

Evening Star, Issue 20635, 7 November 1930, Page 8

LOSS OF RlOl

CAUSE OF THE DISASTER DR ECKEKER'S VIEWS Pren Association—By Telegraph—Copyright*

BERLIN, November 5. Dr Eckeuer suggests that the cause of the RlOl descent was a leaking gasket, which reduced the ship’s buoyancy. The result would have been far less tragic had the ship not been filled with hydrogen, winch needed only a spark or a piece of hot metal to ignite it. ])r Etkener empnaticalJy reasserted his belief in airships. PROCEEDINGS AT INQUIRY LORD THOMSON’S MINUTE. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, November 6. (Received November 7, at 11 a.m.) A minute written by Lord Thomson was put in evidence at to-day’s session of the inquiry into the airship disaster. The minute had preference to the preparations for the departure to India, and read:—“So long as RlOl is ready to go to India by the last week in September this further delay in getting her altered may pass. I aust insist on the programme for the Indian flight being adhered to. as I have made my plans accordingly. Air-Marshal Sir John Higgins, m tho witness box, was asked whether the minute had influenced the' course. of events. He said that the preparations might have been speeded up in consequence, but on the reports from Wing-commander Oolmore and Major Scott that the trial flight was satisfactory he would in any case have been satisfied that the ship was safo to go to India.