AVIATOR’S DEATH

Southland Times, Issue 22856, 3 April 1936, Page 7

AVIATOR’S DEATH

EVIDENCE AT INQUEST (United Press Association.) Christchurch, April 2. The inquest into the death of FlyingOfficer Graham M. Owen, aged 23, of Epsom (Auckland), who died following an aeroplane crash at Lake Ellesmere on February 25, was resumed to-day. Squadron-Leader J. M. Findlay, Officer Commanding at the Wigram Aerodrome, said that Flying-Officer Owen, when carrying out machinegun practice in a Bristol Fighter, crashed, owing to the machine failing to flatten out during a dive on to the target. The usual practice was to dive at 1200 feet with the gun sights trained on the target. This involved a dive at an angle of 40 degrees, flattening out at 200 feet. The evidence at the Departmental inquiry, said Squadron-Leader Findlay, had indicated that Flying-Officer Owen committed an error of judgment in failing to flatten out in time. The machine had been delivered from the makers in 1927, and had been 609’, hours in the air. He was convinced that the accident was in no way due to the airframe or tire engine. Evidence had been given at the Departmental inquiry by Flight-Lieutenant Wallingford, adjutant of the squadron, and a fitter who had worked on the engine. The Coroner (Mr E. C. Levvey): All due respect to your Departmental inquiry, but it does not take me anywhere. . Squadron-Leader Findlay said that he was not aware that Owen suffered from eye weakness. That was not part of his duties.

Mr Levvey: When a man is going up on gun-practice is there any examination or check on him on any or every day as to his ph5 r sical condition? Squadron-Leader Findlay: It is not necessary, but prior to each “refresher” course the men are examined for their general physical condition. He added that he was not aware that Owen had to wear a particular kind of glasses. Flying-Officer F. R. Dix said that Owen had commenced io dive at an angle of 80 degrees with the engine throttled back, and when the machine was 100 feet from the ground the turn to the left was started, the dive continuing at the same angle. Just before the machine hit the ground there was an attempt to flatten out. Witness drove his car to the crash, and noticed that Owen was not wearing goggles. Continuing his evidence, FlyingOfficer Dix said that he later found the goggles hanging on the instrument board. One glass of the goggles was broken. The goggles were fitted with lenses and not ordinary glass. A verdict was returned that FlyingOfficer Owen’s death was due to injuries received when a Bristol Fighter he was flying dived too sharply, struck the ground and crashed.