LOW-FLYING DANGERS.

Waikato Times, Volume 108, Issue 18164, 31 October 1930, Page 2

LOW-FLYING DANGERS.

AT AIR PORT. 4-: TWO AIRMEN KILLED. Complaints of low flying at Croydon (England) air port were made at the inquest on two men who were killed when a Belgian air liner crashed. The men, Edouard Sobry, the pilot, and Fernand Coioremans, the mechanic, were the only occupants . of the machine, which came down just after leaving Croydon. "Mr Reginald Barnard, of Buckinghamway, Wallington, which is near the scene of the crash, declared that he had, on more than ofie occasion previously, been violently disturbed from sleep at the same time by an aeroplane passing overhead, £oroner: You say that at the time of this crash they were flying too low? Mr Barnard: My contention is that, according to the practice of this particular line, they left the aerodrome at an altitude which in any circumstances was dangerous both to themselves and to the surrounding neighbourhood. On this particular occasion, in my view, it led directly to the disaster. Major Cooper, of the British Air Ministry, stated that Mr Barnard’s representations would receive, very serious consideration. “The Ministry deprecate strongly any low flying which may be carried out in the vicinity , of the aerodrome, and any sort of flying which affects the amenities of the people living in the district. They are prepared to take action in any case brought to their notice and, if necessary, to take the matter further. I personally am of the opinion that unnecessary low flying is not practised round the aerodrome. You must realise that a machine taking off from an aerodrome is bound to proceed at a low height in the* surrounding district while gaining height.” Majdr Cooper, giving his view of the cause of the accident, stated that the pilot was undoubtedly returning to Hie aerodrome, probably on account of the had weather. “He got a little lower \ian he intended, and •suddenly passed behind a line of trees which obliterated the lights of the •aerodrome, lie apparently realised that he was about to strike the trees and opened up the engine and banked the machine. In making the turn his wing touched the ground.” Coroner: I take it that the trees constitute a danger? Major Cooper: They constitute a danger to landing under certain conditions. On this night there was a thick mist, and the pilot had to get down below the mist in order to see the lights. The lighting at the aerodrome, he added, was second to none. lie was satisfied that all the lights were on, and everything was in order. The jury returned verdicts of “Accidental death,” -and added that there was no evidence to show the cause of death.