THE STRATFORD CRASH

Evening Star, Issue 22805, 13 November 1937, Page 20

THE STRATFORD CRASH

PILOT'S ERROR OF JUDGMENT SHOULD HAVE TURNED BACK EARLIER [From Our Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, November 13. The conclusion that the pilot had committed an error of judgment in failing to turn back earlier was reached by the Board of Inquiry which investi-' gated the crash that resulted in the death of Philip Joseph Nathan near Stratford on June 2. The pilot, C. H. Dunford, was seriously injured. The finding of the board, which did not recommend any interference with the pilot’s license, was made available iby the Air Minister, Mr Jones. The board’s report stated:—We think that, with the experience at the pilot’s command, he did bis best in attempting to turn back and to extricate himself from the position of difficulty he had got himself into. In pur view, however, he failed to exercise sound judgment when, after leaving the railway line about Elth'am, he persisted on his course when his “ ceiling ” was becoming progressively lower, the terrain more difficult, and the air more humpy. The proper and prudent course to have followed would ha vo been to turn back earlier (which he could have done in comparative safety), and land at Hawera to obtain reports on_ which to base his further course of action. We do nob think his conduct, in all the circumstances, can he classed as negligent, or that there was wilful default, but that he committed an error of judgment in failing to turn back earlier than he did. We were impressed with his commendable frankness and candour, and we do not reconpnend any interference with his license or an award against him of costs. With regard to Mr Rawnsley, instructor to the Wellington Aero Club, we think that, in view of time and the conditions of observation of the New Plymouth weather report, the known variability of-weather conditions over the Stratford area, the time which would elapse before the pilot arrived in that area, and the limited flying experience of the pilot during the preceding 12 months, the more prudent course to adopt would have been to insist on postponement of the time of departure until a further and fully detailed report of favourable weather conditions was available. The Minister said he had approved of the recommendations of the board. It consisted of Mr F. W. Stilwell, S.M., Mr M. J. Buckeridge. senior assistant to the Controller of Aviation, and Mr A. G. Gerrand, commercial air pilot.