FLYING BOAT DISASTER.
REPORT OF BOARD OF INQUIRY. PILOT S ERROR Ob' JUDGMENT. WELLINGTON. January 11. An error of judgment on the pal t of the pilot was the main cause of the recent Hying boat disaster in Auckland Harbour, according to the report of the Board of Inquiry, which was released for publication to-day by the Minister of Defence. The Committee of Inquiry consider of Squadron-leader L. M. Isitt. Flight-lieutenant S. Wallingford. and Flying-officer R. J. Copley, and its findings were concurred with by the Director of Air Services (Wing-commander S. Grant Dalton). The report stated that the aircraft had crashed out of control from a height of approximately 300 feet, and the immediate cause of the accident was the pilot's error of judgment in attempting to turn with the aircraft in a stalled condition. A contributing cause of the mishap was stated to be the inexperience of the pilot on the type of machine and a defective speed indicator. From the evidence available it -was impossible to determine whether the engine failed in any respect. The aircraft appeared to have been serviceable, with the exception of the air speed indicator and the altimeter. The report noted that the question of aircraft- being flown without a certificate
of airworthiness and by an unlicensed pilot was covered in the international air convention, which allowed unregistered aircraft to be flown and unlicensed pilots to fly for the purpose of becoming eligible for the required license.
The report concluded: “The com t is of opinion that the late Captain D. Harkness. with G. Goldsboro as a passenger, taxied the Dornier-Libella to carry out engine tests on the water. On the trials being staisfactory, an impulsive decision was made to test the aircraft in the air.” “ I concur with the finding of the court, and consider that the accident was principally due to the lack of experience of the pilot.’’ stated the Director of Air Services iu a memorandum covering the report.
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Otago Witness, Issue 3958, 21 January 1930, Page 7
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329FLYING BOAT DISASTER. Otago Witness, Issue 3958, 21 January 1930, Page 7
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