FATAL OVERSIGHT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22390, 9 April 1936, Page 14

FATAL OVERSIGHT

PARACHUTE TRAGEDY BINDING WIRE NOT REMOVED INQUEST ON " SCOTTY " FRASER LAST WORDS TO HIS PILOT [by telegraph—own correspondent] WELLINGTON, Wednesday "There is no complaint about the parachute, which was of the approved typo and in good order, and ho was a certified and licensed parachutist," remarked the coroner. Mr. 10. Gilbertson, J.P., at the inquest to-day into tho death of J. S. ("Scotty") Eraser, whoso parachute did not open when lie was making an exhibition jump at Rongotai at tho pageant held on March 28. "Tho only thing that seems to matter is that he failed to remove the binding wire after packing the parachute, and one can only conclude that-in his hurry he overlooked it. No 6ne was responsible but himself."

The coroner, returning a verdict that death was due to injuries suffered in a fall into Lyall Bay, remarked that it was particularly distressing that such a fatality should have occurred when the parachutist was making a jump to help the fund for the dependants of the late Squadron-Leader M. C. McGregor. Ho praised those who swam out in tho heavy sea to bring the body ashore, especially Messrs. W. E. Ponder and E. 13. Hughes. Their action was highly commendable, he said.

Wished Pilot "Happy Landing" 1 Squadron-Lefuler G. L. Stedman, instructor to the Wellington Aero Club, said the jump -was being made without payment to help the fund for the relatives of the late Squadron-Leader McGregor. The parachutist was usually paid for exhibition jumps, but was making this one free, as his contribution to the appeal fund. Pilot-Officer K. G. Smith, pilot of the machine from which the parachutist jumped, said that he was instructed by the parachutist to fly out over tho sea to 1800 ft. When Fraser was on the wing ready to jump his last words to witness were, "Happy landing." Flying-Officer L. F. Ta3 ? lor, agent for the type of parachute used, said it was approved by the Air Ministry in England. There had been a twist in the harness of the parachute, but this was corrected, and tho apparatus was repacked. After packing a parachute should be examined by a ground engineer, who in this case was the parachutist himself. Witness was satisfied from an examination of the parachute that this could not have been done. The wire used to hold the folds in position while the release pin was fixed had not been removed, and this would stop tho parachute from opening.

Demonstration Given With the parachute used in the jump and another properly prepared for use witness demonstrated how leaving the loop of brass flexible wire in position could stop the flaps holding the canopv in folds from opening, even though the release pin was pulled. ' To the-coroner witness said the parachute was of a comparatively new type, but he had never heard of another accident with one. of that make. To Sub-Inspector C. E. Roach witness said he had never heard complaints about' the parachute made bv Fraser. The only reason he could suggest for the failure to remove the wire was that it was overlooked. A small flap had to be folded over the release pin, and it seemed almost impossible. to put this in position without seeing that the wire was not removed. J. D: Hassall, who helped to pack the parachute at the aerodrome, said that he cut the loop of wire with a knife at the instructions of Fraser. Fraser asked him to cut the wire, but did not tell him to pull it out, and would not do so, that always being the duty of the parachutist. After the fatality he saw that the wire had been left in, and he could only conclude that deceased must have 'overlooked it. He could not understand how the parachute was finally closed without the wire being noticed. Had Made 270 Jumps

Wing-Commander T. M. Wilkes, Controller of Civil Aviation, said that Fraser took a course in parachute packing at Wigram Aerodrome in 1930, after which .he passed the neeessarv teats. .. Fraser had made 270 jumps. He had used another parachute for about four years, but t this was condemned. Tho new parachute was in good order and of a recognised type Fraser had used it for several months and lind made several jumps with it. The Coroner: Whose duty was it to inspect the parachute before the jump? Wing - Commander Wilkes: The jumper's. He had a licence. What caused hirri to overlook this wire?— Well, it was perfectly obvious that it was there. I cannot understand it at all There was no one but himself to blame?—l would sav so.

He had never complained to you about this type of parachute?—' No. He had told me he was perfectly satisfied with it. There was nothing wrong with the parachute. To Sub-Inspector Roach witness explained that the type of parachute used by deceased before he bought the one with which he, made his fast jump had strong twine instead of a wire to hold the flap of the container, while the -release pin was fitted ill position.