LOSS OF FLYING-BOAT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 99, 27 March 1939, Page 7

LOSS OF FLYING-BOAT.

REPORT ON CAVALIER. ENGINES CAUSE DESCENT. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, March 25. The report of the Air Ministry’s Chief Inspector of Accidents, WingCommander Vernon Brown, on the loss of the imperial Airways flying boat Cavalier at sea on January 21, is now published. The Cavalier sank after a forced descent some 285 miles south-east of Port Washington, Long Island, two of the eight passengers and one of the crew of five losing their lives. Among the principal conclusions reached by the Chief Inspector are that the forced descent was due to lading cmrines caused by a complete loss ol power of the two inner engines, and the partial loss of power of the two outer engines. This was the result of carburettor trouble caused hv icing. Sea conditions were too severe to make a good landing possible. As a result, of damage caused to the hull in alighting, the cabins were qtiicklv flooded and about 15 minutes later the Cavalier broke in half alt of the rear spar, and sank. No blame can he attributed to the captain or the first officer, who behaved with great coolness throughout. All British regulations under winch the Cavalier was operated were conipTieu with. The report states that the investigation hoard made a number ot recommendations lor inquiry and research with which the chief inspector agrees.