FATAL FLYING ERROR

Hawera Star, Volume L, 20 February 1931, Page 9

FATAL FLYING ERROR

REASON FOR ’PLANE CRASH. LMPETUi)US COMMANDER. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright.) LONDON, Feb. IS. A new departure was made at the inquest at the Plymouth air disaster of Eebrunrv 4, when the coroner ineluded in the inquiry six men whose bodies had not eben recovered. Squadron-Leader Jones, commanding the squadron to which the flying-boat Jris 111 belonged, said that the machine was in charge of 1 light-Lieuteii-ant Ely, who was instructing V ingCommander Tucker, who was piloting under his supervision. SquadionLeader Jones added that Ely had complained on several occasions that Tucker wanted to take charge against his wishes. Aircraftsman Shaw (Colonel 1. Lawrence of ’‘Lnwroiicc in -Ar«.ibi<i inline) declared that the iris came down dangerously last. He had heard the men express a disinclination to go up with Tucker. Personally, he would not accompany him as a matter of choice. The ’’plane had plenty ol room to land. . . , The jury returned a verdict that the disaster was due to Tucker’s error of judgment in retaining control against Ely’s wishes, and recommended that commanders should be trained at othei stations than those to which they were appointed.

Nine lives were lost when an R.A.F. Blackburn Iris triple-engined Hying boat, with twelve aboard, crashed and sunk in Plymouth Sound. Ihe machine struck the water with terrmc force and an explosion followed. Light victims, including the wing-commander, were trapped in the cabin and drowned.