British Air Safety Devices Criticised

Northern Advocate, 25 January 1939, Page 5

British Air Safety Devices Criticised

(Received 10 a.m.)

WASHINGTON, January 24

The revelation that the Cavalier, although carrying American passengers, had not been passed as airworthy by the American authorities, raised a storm in Congress. Senator R. Reynolds, declared Imperial Airways’ failure to provide the equipment for preventing ice formation was gross negligence. Other Congressmen criticised the company severely. Immediate and radical changes in the .arrangement by which the United States and Britain exchange air commerce facilities are forecast. Imeprial Airways’ aeroplanes will be forced to meet American standards of safety before taking off from American airports.

The number of f lifebelts on the Cavalier is also criticised. The commander, Mr. M. Rowland Alderson, states the survivors had nine, but the passengers say there were only six.

•The “New York Times” comments editorially: “Lifebelts hastily lashed together saved 10 persons, but collapsable rubber boats and inflatable life rafts with flares .are more efficacious. They are standard equipment on Pan-American Airways’ machines.”