FLYING WHILE DEAD

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 638, 15 April 1929, Page 11

FLYING WHILE DEAD

PILOT’S DEATH IN PLANE

MACHINE THAT WENT ON A suggestion that a pilot died in his airplane while he was about 1.500 feet up was made at an inquest at Kenley, near Croydon, concerning the death of Sergt. John William Pearce, of the R.A.F., stationed at Hawkinge, near Folkestone. His machine crashed at Godstone. Sergeant-Pilot C. A. .A. Fell, of the R.A.F., Kenley. said he was circling round the airdrome when he saw Pearce’s machine approaching. “As he was flying in my direction,” said Sergt. Fell, “I decided to ‘formate’ with him. When we were about 50 yards apart, at a height of about 1,500 feet. I waved to him, but there was no response except just a glance over his shoulder.” Pearce seemed to be flying quite I normally while they were together, ' but bis attitude seemed to be entirely abnormal. “I have ‘formated’ with other people, and they have been rather jolly and | waved back.” said Sergt. Fell, “but Pearce did Dot seem to be acting. He seemed quite dead in the cock-pit. There was not a movement of any de--1 scription. That is what I could not make out. He seemed to hold that position the Whole time I was with 1 him.” The coroner, Mr. Nightingale: Did it suggest itself to you that he had lost consciousness?—There was just the one glance over his shoulder. He was in an unusual attitude?—* Yes. I have never seen anybody lying in quite the same position as he was. When I left him the machine was quite normal. Mr. Nightingale adjourned the inj quest.