MELBOURNE AIR CRASH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20482, 6 February 1930, Page 12

MELBOURNE AIR CRASH.

'REPORT AFTER INQUIRY. FLIGHT NOT AUTHORISED. British Wireless, RUGBY, Feb. 4. The Air Accidents Investigation Commitee at Melbourno has reported regarding the seaplano tragedy on January 6, in which Captain Hugh Grosvenoi'j Flight-Lieutenant Briggs and Leading Aircraftsman Ewen were killed.

The report states that tho flight was undortaken to give Captain Grosvenor instruction in the operation of an amphibian machine, which was being flown under dual control. Authority had' hoc been obtained to make a flight under such conditions, and the flight was quite unauthorised. There was no evidence of engine failure or structural defect, and the accident Was apparently duo to some crisis in the course of instruction. The board recommends £SOO compensation each for the widows of FlightLieutenant Briggs and Aircraftsman EvVen. '

* CAUSE NOT ASCERTAINED. MACHINE BEING TRIEEL (Received Februnry 5, 5.55 p.m.) SrSLBOURNE; Feb. 5. The Air Accidents Investigation Committee, in its report to the Minister of Defence, Mr. A. E. Green, states that it cannot advance any theory to explain the crashing of. the Widgeon seaplane into Port Phillip Bay on January 6, with the loss of three lives.

Tho seaplane was an experimental one, and its service trials had. not completed. Although thomachine and engine had been inspected before the flight, no authority had been given for Captain Grosvenor to be a- passenger. There were several possible causes of- tho accident, but the evidence was insufficient to warrant tho committeeselecting any one of them. .