AVIATION

Grey River Argus, 10 December 1938, Page 13

AVIATION

PILOT'S ERROR “Kyeema” Crash <. [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] CANBERRA, December 9. An error of observation, by the pilot, Captain Webb, is held by the Air Investigation Committee 'to have caused the wreck of the air-liner Kyeema, with the loss of eighteen lives, on October 25. The Committee says, however, that the error by the pilot would not have been made, if the ultra-high frequency beacon, which was approved in March, 1937, had been operating on the day of the disThe Committee finds that the provision of adequate safety machinery was the responsibility of the Civil Aviation Board, and strongly condemns the Board on this and other grounds. The Committee finds that the chief failure of the Civil Aviation Board was due to the fact that the Controller-General, Captain Johnston, deliberately and persistently set his face against the decentralisation of the Board. The report states: “The Board is so constituted, either as to personnel or method of conducting its business, as to be incapable of any decisive action.” One year’s delay in arranging the beacon tests was due to the CiyJ Air Board and Mr. Thorby, who were each responsible for a six months' hold-up. The report recommends a review of the civil aviation administration and personnel, safety provision, the quick installation of radio beacons, and the appointment of fight-checking officers.

JAPANESE DISASTER. TOKIO, December 8. Four of a crew and eight passengers are believed to have been drowned when the Japanese Aviation Corporation fourteen-passenger Douglas, crashed into the sea off Naha, as the result of engine trouble. CHRISTMAS MAILS. LONDON, December 8. The Imperial Airways first week Empire Christmas mails ended on December 4, and carried 2,000,000 letters, weighing 34 tons, a record. Fourteen tons were sent to Australia and New Zealand during the week ended December 2.