AVIATION

Grey River Argus, 17 May 1938, Page 5

AVIATION

HAWKE’S BAY CRASH

Lady Pilot’s Mistake

[Per Press Association.! HASTINGS, May 16.

An error of judgment on the part of the pilot, Nellie Arnott, was the cause advanced by Inspector of Air Accidents (R. B. Kean), in his evidence at the inquiry into the crash of the Hornet Moth machine, belonging to the Hawke's Bay and East Coast Aero Club.

The crash occurred on April IS, and resulted in the'death of the pilot and her brother, Robert Bowie Arnott.

Inspector Kean said that, from the evidence that had been submitted, the pilot had shown an error of judgment in flying into cloud with no previous knowledge of blind flying. She had, he contended, dived in an effort to avoid cloud with the engine racing. She had used the elevating control too suddenly, causing an enormous strain on the bottom wing surface —in fact, sixteen times the normal strain, which was a much greater strain than the margin of safety with any ’plane in the world. The machine, he contended had then flattened out for a few moments, but when the wings had started to take the load of the machine again, the starboard wing had collapsed, and the machine dived finally to earth. He considered that the crash had occurred from a height of two thousand feet. Six witnesses were heard to-day, the-Board of Inquiry comprising Mr W. F. Stilwell, S.M. (Chairman), Commander G. B. Bolt and Squadron Leader F. B. Burrell.

After hearing the evidence of eyewitnesses and technical experts, the Board reserved its decision.