AIRCRAFT CRASH

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVI, Issue 23030, 23 October 1944, Page 4

AIRCRAFT CRASH

Findings Of Board Of Inquiry Error Of Judgment By Pilot (N.Z.P.A.) WELLINGTON, Oct. 21. The findings of the Board of Inquiry appointed to investigate and report on the accident which occurred near Mount Hope, in the Nelson district, on June 30 last, to, aircraft ZK-AHT, operated by Air Travel (N.Z.), Ltd., were announced to-day by the Minister in Charge of Civil Aviation (the Hon. F. Jones). The board found that the accident was not contributed by, or related in any way to, fuel supply, engine failure or structural defect in the aircraft, but that it arose through the aircraft getting in an uncontrolled position and condition from which the pilot was unable to recover before hitting the forest. The pilot had attempted to cross the saddle at a low altitude over rough, broken country, in order to avoid turbulent air conditions below the cloud base, but in the board’s opinion the condition in which the aircraft subsequently found itself could have been avoided by maintaining; as Inuch altitude as possible while crossing the saddle. Contribution to Accident Failure to adopt this course contributed substantially to the accident and was, in the board’s view, an error of judgment by the pilot. Reference was made to clauses in the Air Navigation Regulations, 1933, providing for the installation in passengercarrying aircraft of radio equipment, but due to war-time priorities the company had been unable to procure the necessary equipment, and the board considered that Air Travel (N.Z.), Ltd., had taken every reasonable step in an effort to meet the requirements of the regulations. Moreover, the board considered that the fact that the aircraft was not equipped with radio communication apparatus did not contribute in any way to the accident. The board did not recommend, in the particular circumstances, that the licence of the pilot should be interfered with, and drew attention to the prompt and praiseworthy steps to obtain assistance taken by the pilot. Flight Lieutenant Lewis, and Mr Perry, a passenger, and also mentioned that Miss Paterson, matron of the Buller Hospital, was deserving of special commendation for her courageous conduct in administering medical aid to the other passengers, although she herself was gravely injured.