AIR FATALITY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22963, 15 February 1938, Page 14

AIR FATALITY

CRASH IN ENGLAND NEW ZEALAND FLIERS EVIDENCE AT INQUEST [from our own con respondent] LONDON, Jan. 'JO New regulations may be introduced by the Air Ministry as a result of the incjuest into tho air collision in which three airmen,, two of them New Zealanders, were killed last week. The New Zealanders were flying an instructional aeroplane from the .Royal Air 1 orce Reserve School at Hatfield, and came into collision with a Royal Air 1* orce Gloster Gauntlet. The victims were:— Mr. Theodore Quintin Paviour Smith, aged 30, formerly of Dannevirko, flying instructor at tho school. Mr. Brian William Grieves, aged 22, of Carlton Gore Road, Auckland, who had just begun training after coming from New Zealand with a view to securing a short service commission in tho Royal Air Force. Pilot-Officer Leonard Rone Helps, aged 23, of tho 66th Fighter Squadron, Duxford, pilot of the Gloster machine. Sound ol the Orash At the inquest at St. Albans, FlyingOfficer D. F. Forbes, of Hatfield, said that shortly before the accident he saw two Royal Air Force machines passing over Hatfield aerodrome. It was unusual, as they normally gave aerodromes a wide berth.

Acting-Pilot-Officer Reginald Frank Runnier said that he was flying with Helps in formation. Ho was leading. They were travelling at 150 miles an hour. He did not intend to be near Hatfield aerodrome, but to check his course by a wood two miles east. After he had passed the aerodrome he saw it over his right shoulder.

" I saw the third aeroplane on the left going across our path in a steep turn," ho said. "It was extremely close. I did a steep right-hand climbing turn. I heard tho sound of a crash, but did not actually see it. The third machine was practically on top of us when I first saw it. It was obvious we were not going to miss it." Plying Regulations

The coroner, Mr. T. Ottawav, summing up, said that one thing which seemed to require some explanation was that the accident took place within two miles of Hatfield aerodrome. According to tho regulations, machines in flight should not come within two miles of any aerodrome. The distance here was said to be about one and a-half miles. That was to be regretted, but when one was flying a machine at 150 miles an hour it almost seemed that half a mile one way or the other in the route was very difficult to estimate and almost too small to consider. The jury returned a verdict of death bv misadventure. They made a recommendation to the Air Ministry that new regulations should be introduced providing that aircraft not using aerodromes should keep clear of them by five miles, especially in the case of Hatfield instructional aerodrome. Tributes by Colleagues

Mr. Greives' funeral was held with Air Force honours at St. Mark's Churchyard, Colney Heath, this week. The casket, draped with a Union Jack, was borne by men of the Royal Air Force. After the committal service three volleys were fired by a firing party and the " Last Post ".and " Reveille " were sounded. The High Commissioner was represented by Mr, E. A. Broadbridge, and representatives were also present from the Royal Air Force nnd the Hatfield Flying School. The funeral of Mr. Smith took place at the Islington Borough Cemetery, East Finchlev, on January 27. Tho High Commissioner was represented by Mr. S. R. Skinner and the Royal Air Force by Squadron-Leader Hickey.