AEROPLANE CRASH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20716, 8 November 1930, Page 2 (Supplement)

AEROPLANE CRASH.

THEORY OF THE CAUSE. •• ■ - d • ALLEGED LOW FLYING. : T\7o LIVES LOST AT CROYDON. ; A protest against low flying was made at the resumed inquest on September 122 on Edouard. Sobry and Fernard Cooremans, pilot and mechanic of the Belgian air liner, who lost their lives when their machine crashed near Croydon Aero, drome and caught, fire on September 11. The aeroplane belonged to the Belgiaa Air Lines, and had just left Croydon with the night mails when tlx; accident occurred. Dr. Winifred Holloway said that the lights on the machine could be seen through the ground rnist, and the aeroplane was flying so low that persons could not hear each other speak on account of the noise.

Mr. Reginald Barnard, of Buckingham Way, Wallinglon, which is near the scene of the crash, asked permission to make a statement concerning low flying. " I have formed the opinion," he sakl, " a connection can be established between the' practice of leaving the aerodrome at low altitudes and this disaster. I have found it difficult to believe, having regard to the atmospheric conditions, that this aetoplane was forced back by adverso weather. From the impression [ had of a strong glare, concurrent with the noise of the engine, I am inclined to accept engine trouble as the primary cause." Mr. Barnard said that at the same time on more than one occasion ho had been violently disturbed from sleep by an aeroplane passing overhead. He was left with the feeling that if the machine had started at a safe altitude the occupants would have had at least a fighting chance of effecting.a safe landing. Question of Low Flying. The Coroner: You say that at the time of this crash they wero flying too low ? Mr. Barnard: My contention is that, according to the practice of this particular line, they Jeft the aerodrome at an altitude which in any circumstances was dangerous to themselves and to the surrounding neighbourhood. On this occasion, in my view 1 , it led directly to this disaster. Major Cooper, of the . Air Ministry, remarked that the cause of the accident was the subject of investigation. " I am authorised by the Air Ministry to state, that your representations will receive very serious consideration, and that the Ministry deprecate very strongly any low flying which may be carried out in the vicinity of the aerodrome and any sort of flying which affects the amenitie» of the people 'living in the district. They are prepared to take action in any case brought to their notice, and, if necessary, to take the matter further.

" I am of tho opinion that unneeca. sarily low flying is not practised round the aerodrome. You must realise that a machine taking off from an aerodrome is bound to proceed at a low altitude in the surrounding -district while gaining height." Mr. BaxriardVT'ciiinnot acceptr~ttie~ assumption, in view of the size of the aerodrome, that it is impracticable for an aeroplane to leave the aerodrome without going as low as: they do. Major Cooper said that it had to b« realised that ;he air liners might appear very much lower than tbey were because of their great size. The noise was inevitable. Mr. Banmrd asked it he' could read a second statement, but the coroner said that he did not want to confuse the issue before the jury, who would have to decide whether it was an accident or a casa of criminal negligence. Mr. Barnard asked if he could refer to tho inquiry in Belgium, at which* he said, it was stated that the machine flew into clouds at 160 feet. A representative of the Belgian Air Lines said that he would like to have an opportunity of seeing .the statement, and Mr. T. Booth, clerk to the Beddington and Wallington Urban Council, said that he was there to watch this case with respect to low flying, and he would like to see tf>e statement. Mr. Barnard handed his statement in. Engines " In Perfect Order." Emil Winter, of the Chase, Wallington, a ground mechanic at the aerodrome, said that the machine was passed as airworthy before tho flight by Cooremans, th» mechanic. Tho engines were tested and were found to be in perfect order. Major Cooper said that, ho examined tho wreckage soon after the crash. " I have como to tho conclusion," ha said, " that tho pilot took oil in a northeasterly direction, leaving the aerodrome close to the control tower, arid then made a normal turn to tho left, circled round, and passed over the aerodrome in a southerly direction. Then, for some reason, ho turned back over the aerodrome and made a wide turn to tho left to come in behind tho flood-light in order to make a landing again. " I think lie got a little lower than he "intended, and suddenly passed behind a line of trees which obliterated the lights of the aerodrome," lie said. Tho Coroner: I take it that the trees constitute a danger? Major Cooper: They constitute a danger to landing under certain conditions. On this night there was a thick mist and the pilot had t<f get below the mist in order to see the lights. In answer to a juryman, Major Cooper said that tho Air Ministry were of opinion that tho trees should be* removed,' and steps were being taken to seo-what could bo done. Tho jury returned a verdict of accidental death, and added that there was no evidence to show the cause of death.