RECENT PLANE CRASH

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 23 October 1942, Page 3

RECENT PLANE CRASH

[SQUADRON LEADER'S EVIDENCE THE PILOT’S INSTRUCTIONS ORGANISATION OF SEA RESCUE SERVICE i When the inquest into the deaths of Pilot Officer Dean Rainsford Horrocks and Sergeant Vincent Charles Hill. R.N.Z.A.F., was resumed before the Coroner, Mr F. Mitchell, yesterday afternoon, evidence was given by Squadron Leader J. J. Busch. R.N.Z.A.F. In reply to the Coroner, he explained the organisation of the Sea Rescue Service. Launches as far apart ns Tory Channel. Nelson Harbour and Collingwood had been circularised and certain launches had been made available to the Air Force for rescue work. Immediately it was known that aircraft were missing and if the locality was known launches nearby were asked lo stand-by. When definite information was received the launches were advised either to go out or to wait till advised. As regards the delay in sending a launch from Motueka. the squadron leader explained that the Sea Rescue Service was put into action immediately the accident was reported. Motueka was communicated with but there seemed some difficulty owing to the -state of the tide in getting a boat out then. The launch from Nelson was I called out to search at 4.30. having been advised to stand-by ten minutes earlier. Instructions had been given to the captain of the aircraft concerned not to carry out the exercise at a height of less than 250 feet. It was apparent 'said the witness) that the pilot did disobey that instruction. On a day such .as that was when the sea was glassy calm it would be extremely difficult for the pilot to judge his height from the sea at very low altitudes. His , altimeter would, however, indicate' clearly if the altitude was below 250; feci. At intervals witness made a snap j or surprise check on all safety equip- j ment in the planes under his com- j id and. On the day following he took such a check on several of the crews' equipment and found it all in order. ! To his knowledge the safety equip-j ment on this particular plane was all in 1 order on the day of the accident. A ' life jacket was issued lo all air crews i and it was an instruction that they 1 carry it with them when in the air. An aircraft dinghy was subject to regular: inspection and on testing such a dinghy ' had proved capable of supporting ten j 1 As stated in yesterday's “Mail” the, Coroner said that it was not for him to make comments on some aspects of this case at all. No doubt they would be inquired into by the Air Force and such action as might be necessary would be taken. It was only his duty to ascertain the cause of death. His finding was • that Horricks and Hill both died at j sea. the cause of death being drowning j after a period of exposure and shock, I following a plane accident when an air- ! craft struck the sea.