AIR INQUIRY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23085, 9 July 1938, Page 16

AIR INQUIRY

THE MANGERE TRAGEDY OPENING ON JULY 18 PERSONNEL OF THE BOARD [by TELECUAPII —SPECIAL TIEPOUTKII] WELLINGTON. Friday An official inquiry into the crashing of the Lockheed air liner at Mangere on ]\tav 10, resulting in the death of Flight-Lieutenant C. M. Duthie and Mr. W. G. Peel, will ho opened at Auckland on the morning of Monday. July IS, according to an announcement mado to-day by the Minister oi Defence, the Hon. F. Jones. The Minister stated that the Board of Inquiry would consist of Mr. W. F. Stilwell, S.M., of Wellington, Squadron-Lender li. B. Burrell, of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, and Mr. D. M. Allen, chief instructor to tho Auckland Aero Club. The board would ho required to make a full investigation and report regarding tho accident.

In view of the pending inquiry by a special board appointed by the Government, only formal evidence will be heard at tho inquest. The inquest, which was previously opened lor purposes of identification, will be resumed before Mr. F. K. Hunt, coroner, next Friday. In accidents to aircraft whore los* of lifo occurs it is customary for a special inquiry to bo held. Immediately following tho tragedy, a departmental investigation was conducted by Squad-ron-Leader E. G. Olson, officer commanding the Royal New Zealand Air Force Baso at Hobsonville, who heard evidence and subsequently submitted a report to the Minister in charge of the Air Department, the Hon. F. Jones.