ENQUIRY ENDS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 28 September 1944, Page 7

ENQUIRY ENDS

RECENT AIR CRASH AT MOUNT HOPE QUESTION OF RADIO EQUIPMENT ADDRESSES BY COUNSEL The question of radio equipment for planes came before the Board of Inquiry into the Mt„ Hope air crash, which concluded its sitting yesterday* afternoon. It was stated that the Air Department had advised aircraft operators that they were not required to instal radio until cer-, tain other regulations were brought; into force. The Board of Inquiry consisted of Mr W. F. Stilwell. S.M., Wing Commander? G. B. Bolt and Wing Commander H. C Walker. A.F.C. Mr C. A. L. Treadwell (Wellington) j | was counsel for the board of inquiry, i Dr. N. A. Foden (Wellington) repreI sented the Air Department. Mr M. B. James (Hokitika) Air Travel (N.Z.) Ltd., Mr W. D. Taylor (Greymouth) Lloyd s Underwriters, and Mr C. R~ Fell (Nelson) Flight-Lieut. P. C. Lewis'. CORRESPONDENCE MADE AVAILABLE Dr. Foden said that the matter of I the correspondence with the Air Department on radio equipment had been discussed and he could now make that ' correspondence available to the board, j Wing Commander R. A. Kirkup, flight superintendent of the Civil Aviation j Branch of the Air Department, produc- | ed correspondence relating to radio ! equipment lor the aircraft concerned, i Suitable radio equipment for this type , of plane had not available. Other types of aircraft on other routes had J been able to get radios suitable for I their purpose. Some day suitable equipment would be available for this service. j In reply to Mr James, witness agreed | that until directions were issued un- | der sub-clause 2 of the regulations the | company was not required to instal j radio ! ' COUNSEL FOB THE I’ILOT In addressing the board. Mr Fell said that there were two points possibly affecting his client. Firstly, was there an error of judgment on the pilot’s part in selecting the gorge route? Secondly, was he guilty of any negligence in the flying of his plane after he had selected the route? Counsel submitted that the evidence of the passengers was to be disregarded because of their lack of expert knowledge. The chairman said that it was the opinion of the expert members of the board that counsel did not need to pay attention to the first point. Mr Fell, referring to the height of the plane when crossing the ridge, said that under the existing conditions the pilot adopted the proper course. The pilot .said that he flew 200 feet above the ridge. If he had been higher then the question arose as to turbulent air in the neighbourhood of the cloud base. The pilot said the cloud base was 3000 or 2500 feet high. ’Therefore there was either 300 or 500 feet between the ridge ' and the bottom of the cloud base. I Counsel submitted that the pilot was justified in the position in which he i was flying. The accident would not j have happened if the plane had not met the turbulent air. He submitted that! the pilot should not be found guilty of i breach of care RADIO REGULATIONS Mr Taylor referred to radio equipment, and said that on the one hand the regulations specified that each plane must carry certain radio equipment On the other hand instructions had been given by the department that aircraft did not need to comply with that regulation That was anomalous and irregular, said counsel. He was concerned that representations should be made to the Air Department to have the regulations regularised. Mr James associated himself with Mr Taylor’s remarks WARTIME CONDITIONS Dr. Foden said that the position regarding radio arose from wartime conditions. It had not been found possible to insist on compliance with the regulations in all commercial planes thongh most of them had radio. He would now recommend that special efforts be made to get radio equipment suitable for the types of plane concerned. The board will consider the evidence and announce its decision later.