PLYMOUTH AIR DISASTER

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 20 February 1931, Page 5

PLYMOUTH AIR DISASTER

JURY’S VERDICT

(United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, 18th February. A new departure was made at the inquest into the Plymouth air disaster, when the coroner included an inquiry on six men whose bodies were not recovered. Squadron-Leader Jones, commanding the squadron to which the flying boat Iris 111. belonged, said the machine was in charge of Fight-Lieut. Ely, who was instructing Commander Tucker, the latter piloting under Ely’s supervision. Jones added that Ely complained on several occasions that Tucker wanted to take charge against his wishes. Aircraftsman Shaw (T. E. Lawrence) declared the Iris came down dangerously fast. He 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 of 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. It recommended that commanders should be trained at other stations than those to which they were appointed.