Pilot Tells Story of Sellars' Fatal Jump

Northern Advocate, 15 July 1938, Page 3

Pilot Tells Story of Sellars' Fatal Jump

[Per Press Association. Copyright.! WESTPORT, This Day. The descent made by the wellknown New Zealand parachutist Mr G. W. Sellars, who dropped 1500 feet to, his death on North Beach at the Westport Aero Club’s pageant on July 2, was described by the pilot of the aeroplane from which he jumped, at the inquest held yesterday. The corj oner’s verdict was that Mr Sellars 1 died from the injuries ho received 1 when his parachute failed and he was dashed to the ground. > Jumped From 2000 Feet. The pilot, Flight-Lieutenant W. H. Farkes, instructor to the West Coast United Aero Club, said that after the pageant had '"been opened the wind was blowing steadily north-east, at about 25 miles an hour on the ground level. At 2000 feet, when Sellars left the aircraft, it was blowing north-north-east, at about 15 miles an hour. At this time there were no rain squalls and the ceiling was 2300 feet. The arrangements were for the machine to fly to 1500 feet, but Sellars actually jumped off at 2000 feel.

Witness said he informed Sellars that the wind was slightly different upstairs from what it was on the ground, and not so strong, except in squalls. He also informed him that he would climb to 2000 feet and set a! course north-north-east along the; western side of the aerodrome. When j he was ready Sellars could leave the machine.

Altered Course. Sellars left the machine on the northern boundary of the aerodrome. He altered the course of witness slightly to the right after he left the cockpit, and then sent him back again slightly to the left. Finally Sellars left the machine about 100 yards over the boundary on the northern side of the aerodrome, “1 was concerned on keeping the machine, straight for Sellars,” continued witness. "I could not remember the exact words he said when he loft the machine. He said something like “0.K.” or “Cheerio.” After he left the machine I did a quick turn to the left. That- is a habit of mine whenever I drop a machine off for a parachute descent. Pilot Amazed. “I wanted to know if the parachute envelope had opened. When I turned round, the 'chute had left the pack, and I was amazed to see a very small dome. The theory that passed through my mind when I saw this was that Sellars was trying to spill air. As I was gliding with my back to him and wanted to get behind the aerodrome before executing another turn to the left. I could not keep him under observation all the time.

‘•When I did eventually get round, the parachute was lying flat on the sand, approximately ICDO yards from the boundary, on the northern side of the aerodrome. If was Jimp and flat out. instead of being billowed and full of air, which should have been the case if the parachutist had landed intact." Witness added that everything was in ihe hands of the man who eras going to make the parachute descent. He decider absolutely if the weather should it ‘ unfavourable or any other circumstances unfavourable. He simply staled that ho was not going n> jump and dial was the end oi it driver who Was indemnified was bound by the word '‘owner” used in these subjections. This was upheld by £iis Honour, who said it sometimes happened, as in this case, that it was not the owner who Hied for damages, but the driver.