CANADIAN AIR CRASH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23212, 5 December 1938, Page 12

CANADIAN AIR CRASH

RESULT OF THE INQUIRY DECEASED PILOT BLAMED FAILED TO GAIN ALTITUDE (Received December 4, 3.5 p.m.) OTTAWA. Dec. 3 Tho Board of Inquiry into tho crash of the Regina air mail machine finds that it was due to an error of judgment on the part of the pilot, Captain J. M. Imrie, who was killed with the co-pilot, Ralph Herald, in that he failed to secure 1000 ft. altitude immediately after leaving Regina for Vancouver. Tho investigation revealed that the aeroplane, after flying a quarter of a mile, hit the ground, rose 500 ft. and then crashed nose foremost.

When en route to Vancouver from -Regina on November 18 a TransCanada Air Lines mail machine crashed and was burned shortly after leaving the Regina airport. The pilot and co-pilot were burned to death. Four men of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, who were leaving barracks, were eye-witnesses. They stated that the engines seemed to be running too quietly for the machine to be taking off, and it appeared to be unable to gain altitude. When the machine crashed the petrol tank exploded, the flames enveloping the wreckage. Spectators were unable to rescue the trapped fliers. Engines, propellers and mail were strewn over the snow when the machine broke in two before the nose-dive. Ten sacks of mail were - burned. The service was inaugurated in April, and 900 flights had been made without any previous accident.