PIHAMA AIR FATALITY

Hawera Star, Volume LII, 31 January 1933, Page 5

PIHAMA AIR FATALITY

INQUEST* opened at OPUNAKE. ’PLANE REMOVED FROM PADDOCK. ACT ALLEGEDLY CONTRAVENED. After formal evideijqq of identification and medical evidence had been heard, the inquest at Opunake yestei day concerning the death of aged 18, who was killed in the aeroplane accident au Pihama on Sunday afternoon, was adjourned sine die. The inquiry will be resumed when the pilot, Brian Davies, has recovered sufficiently to give evidence, and in all probability .an aeronautical inquiry will also be held! The coroner (Mr. R. S. Sage) commented upon the dismantling of the machine and its conveyance to New Plymouth, stating that the removal rf the ’plane from where the accident occurred was contrary to the Aerial Navigation Act, and he would have to report it. Under the Air Navigation Act of 1931 the Governor-General, by Qrder-in-Couneil, is authorised to maac regulations preventing the removal of a plane from the scene of an accident until investigations have _ men made. It is understood that only the authority to make such regulations is conferred by the Act referred to, and no record can be found of any regulations having been made. The damaged machine is now at the New Plymouth Aero Club’s hangar and it is understood, no attempt will be made to repair it until an official inspection has been made. In his evidence, \Dr. H. Tnoipe, Kaponga, stated that when on the Opunake Beach he received a call abo.it 5.15 p.m. on Sunday to go to Mr. Stuart Forsvth ’.s residence, Patiki, Road, Pihama. He ound tr- body pf Pott lying beside * ’ recked aeiopiane. Life was extinct. Putt had my lad head injuries. The nedc app<a red in be dislocated and there were muisos on the body. The (ioeto: sunn •. *.d the body had been shifted before he saw it as it was lying race up. the base of the scull was fractured, the lower jaw was* fractured and the upper jaw broken. Dr. Thorpe found considerable bloodstains in the aeroplane cockpit and rear of the engine. The pilot, Brian Davies, aged 18, was suffering from severe injuries arid wounds on the body. The doctor tad not distinguish an v broken bones. Davies was conscious, but not capable of making a statement at that time, owing to severe nervous shock. He was removed to hospital. Edgar Richard Putt, farmer, Ctakelio, gave evidence of identification oi his son, who was 18 years of age and worked on their farm. He left home about 10 a.m. on Sunday morning. Witness was not aware that his son was making a flight that day until after he left home. Davies was a friend of his son. The Forsyths were friends of the two boys, and that would a e eon nr for their being m tne vicinity of Forsyth’s. Putt saw he aeroplane flying over his house and Dm fliers signalled to them on the flat.