PLANE CRASH IN HARBOUR

Taranaki Daily News, 20 November 1930, Page 9

PLANE CRASH IN HARBOUR

PILOT’S ERROR OF JUDGMENT. NO BLAME ATTACHED TO HIM. By Telegraph.—S-aoSS Association. Wellington, Last Night. Finding that although an error of judgment was committed no blame was attachable to the pilot, has been returned by the court of inquiry set up to investigate the accident to the New Zealand Air Force seaplane . Fairey 111. which plunged into Waitemata Harbour near the Hobsonville aerodrome, Auckland, on October 29. The machine was piloted by Flight-Lieut. S. Wallingford and was undergoing a speed test with Corporal H. Smith and A. G. Andrews on board in addition to the pilot. It suddenly plunged into the harbour, carrying? the three men 50 feet under the "water. They had a remarkable escape, 'being brought to the surface through the buoyancy of their safety jackets. The court of inquiry comprised Colonel J. E. Duigan (president), .Major R. Miles and Flight-Lieut. H. B. Burrell. Its finding, which was forwarded to the Minister of Defence, the Hon. J. G. Cobbe, to-day is as follows: —■ The machine was tested before the flight in accordance with the Air Ministry regulations and was reported to be airworthy. An examination of the machine after the flight by SquadronLeader L. M. Isitt showed that the controls were working efficiently apart from such damage as was caused by the accident and subsequent immersion in the sea.

The accident occurred in the course of a speed test carried out by Pilot Wallingford which was within the scope of his duties as a service .pilot. The accident was caused through an error of judgment on the part of Flight-Lieut. Wallingford. No blame is attachable to the pilot or any other person in connection with- the accident.

In spite of the fact that two final sections of the finding appear contradictory they are not as conflicting as appears at first sight. No statement was made in releasing the finding but it is understood that in accordance with the unofficial statement made some time ago a service pilot who is carrying out tests is entitled to take risks which pilots would not otherwise be warranted to take. In view of that the pilot may commit an error of judgment but still not be culpable in the ordinary sense.