EYESIGHT DEFECT

Patea Mail, 2 March 1936, Page 4

EYESIGHT DEFECT

ELLESMERE . CKASH VICTIM,

SPECIAL GOGGLES FOR PILOT. Au inquest into the death of Fying Officer Graham Stackollar Owen, who died iu the Christchurch Hospital two hoars after tho aeroplane he had been flying crashed at Lake Ellesmere on Tuesday last, was opened before Mr. E. C. Levvcy, HAL, on Thursday. Evidence of identification was givicn bv Captain -T. Garfield Stewart, of the medical corps attached to tho Air Force. He said that Owen had been under his medical care for the last four years. He had examined Owen on the first day of his course on February IS and on. the following day, the examination being that required for a pilot’s B certificate. Hu ring these examinations Captain Stewart found that Owen’s vision required lenses of 1.75 dioptres for tho right eye and of 1.5 for the loft eye. Owen produced flying goggles with the required lens ground into the eye

piecd. ■ “I informed him that his error of vision disqualified him for a B license hut his sight was satisfactory for an A license,” said .Captain. Stewart. “I know that his flying ability was more than that demanded of a B license vilaV If his 'flying igogglbs were damaged lie would incorrectly estimate distance. ” After Captain Stewart’s evidence the inquest was adjourned sine die.