EVIDENCE AS TO WEATHER

Taranaki Daily News, 6 November 1930, Page 8

EVIDENCE AS TO WEATHER

NO FACTOR IN AIRSHIP CRASH. CAREFUL ARRANGEMENTS MADE. British Wireless. Rec. 5.3 p.m. Rugby, Nov. 4. The evidence of survivors of RIOI and French witnesses, one of whom witnessed the disaster, has been completed. The Court of Inquiry heard evidence concerning the weather conditions at the time.° This was given by officials of the Air Ministry and the Meteorology Department. Sir John Simon . said their evidence showed that careful- arrangements had been made on the ground and the ship to learn the probable meteorological conditions. Whether or riot it was good flying weather to start for India was quite 5 another question. Dr Simpson, director of meteorology at the Air Ministry, said RlOl was warned she would, be likely to meet hi°h winds and rain ■ over Northern France but the weather conditions on. the night of the flight were nothing to cause navigators anxiety. Dr. Simpson expressed the view that rain did not affect the navigation of the ship and was riot an important facto., in the final catastrophe. The airship would have had far worse weather four hours after the'time of the disaster.