AIRMAN DIVES TO DEATH

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 230, 29 September 1931, Page 10

AIRMAN DIVES TO DEATH

SCHNEIDER PILOT KILLED CRASH OF THE S 6 MACHINE. COURAGEOUS FLIER’S FATE. LONDON, Aug. 21. Lieutenant Gerald L. Brinton, R.N., the “baby” of Britain’s Schneider Trophy team, met his death on August 18 when the S 6 super-marine seaplane, which won the 1929 race for Britain, plunged into the waters of the Solent. The accident occurred about 2| miles off Calshot, about 8 p.m. The team had waited all day for the chance of practice flights. At last the water seemed all right. Brinton went out to the S 6. He took off, but it seemed a long time before the machine lifted. The force of the wind had fallen below 9 m.p.h., and the 86 had to make its own speed for the take off. It came up reluctantly, sank again to make a trail of foam with its floats, lifted again, and then sat down a little heavily on the water. This threw it up well clear, and it was hoped it might have flying speed to keep it up, but it settled down once more. The machine was still, apparently, on an even keel, but it was instantly flung up into the air again, far higher than before, with its nose well up and the air-screw turning at full speed to accentuate the tendency to climb and the dangerous altitude. For a second or two it hung in tue air 20ft or 30ft above the water. Then it tilted to the starboard and plunged, still with its right wing down. As it struck the water at that angle the floats were lorn off. Not long afterwards they came to the top, but not to mark the place where the main part of the wreckage had gone to the bottom. This heavier part had retained the impetus of the machine’s forward speed and ploughed its way on through the water for nearly 100yds before it came to rest. Exhibition of Gallantry. For a fraction of a second everyone on shore or afloat was stunned. Then came the realisation that Brinton, even if he had survived the impact, was a prisoner in the submerged cockpit, held fast by the belt intended, in other circumstances, to ensure his safety. Then followed a memorable exhibition of gallantry. From R.A.F. sea craft, which had raced to the scene of the mishap, dived three figures with rop%s round their waists. They swam toward the floats, now rising and falling gently with the waves. One of the swimmers was FlyingOfficer Snaith, one of the Schneider team; another was Flight-Lieutenant Casaldini; a third was Aircraftsman Candy. Flight-Lieutenant Casaldini, who was driving one of the motorboats attending the machine, saw the S 6 strike the water and bounce into the air. With a cry of “He’s down,” he threw off his tunic and dived into the water. Squadron-Leader Orlebar, who commands the team, also flung aside his tunic in readiness to go to the rescue. Reaching the plane, the three swimmers dived in an endeavour to release Brinton from the safety belt which held him prisoner. Body Found in Fuselage. Eventually it was reported that the cockpit was empty, and it was believed that Brinton had been washed away. A line was fastened to the machine to prevent it from sinking, and the Royal Air Force pinnaces towed it shorewards. Watch was kept all night over the spot where the machine had crashed in readiness for a search for the body in the morning, but when daylight came one of the mechanics looked into the cockpit of the wreckage, and behind it, huddled tightly in the narrow shell of the fuselage, was the dead pilot. As soon as the discovery was made, chisels and hacksaws were applied to the metal frame. Within half an hour the body of Lieutenant Brinton was lifted out tenderly and taken away. Preliminary examinations show that the young officer was stunned by the first impact of his swift machine when it struck the sea, and crushed to death almost instantly as he was jammed into the tail by the terrific force of the water. “Remarkably Good Airman.” Flight-Lieutenant Brinton’a first love was for the sea. He was a lieutenant in the Navy, serving in H.M.S. Hood before being transferred to the Fleet air-arm. He was the first member of this arm to be singled out for the high-speed flight, and it was regarded as almost certain that ho would fly in the race. “He was a remarkably good airman,” a friend remarked. “He had superb judgment and wonderful nerve, and was overjoyed when he was able to join the team.” Brinton’s courage, too, was of the stoutest. Once a comrade was trapped in a burning aeroplane. Heedless of danger, Lieutenant Brinton made a gallant attempt to save him, and was specially thanked by the Air Council. He was only 26, and had a boyish appearance that made him look not more than 20. Lieutenant Brinton’s home was at Kidderminster, where he lived wMh his mother, the widow of a wollen manufacturer, and an elder brother. His father died last year. Ho had also two sisters, one of whom lives in London. ’This tragedy is the eighth which has befallen airmen engaged in the highspeed Schneider Trophy contest. In addition, two other British Schneider Trophy pilots have lost their lives in fatal crashes in other circumstances.