THE AEROPLANE CRASH.

Waikato Times, Volume 112, Issue 18778, 28 October 1932, Page 8

THE AEROPLANE CRASH.

INQUGST ON THE VIOTIMB. DID NOT FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS. AERO CLUB NOT TO BLAME. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Friday. The inquest on the two airmen, Messrs. F. Gresser and G. B. King, was held to-day. After hearing the evidence of Squadron-Leader Stedman, Constable Tocker, of Johnsonville, Captain Bolt and A. W. Nisbet, the coroner, Mr Gilbertson, returned a verdict that the men sustained fatal injuries when their aeroplane crashed into a hill which was obscured on account of foggy atmospherio conditions. It was one of those unfortunate accidents that happen in flying. The pilot in this case had apparently taken a chance. He should have followed the instructions of Captain Bolt regarding the route, but had not done ■so, and had flown into the hill at a terrific rate, and both men had been killed instantaneously. In his evidende Squadron-Leader Stedman said he considered Gresser a safe enpugh pilot in good weather, but he would be rather unreliable in a case of extreme emergency. Squad-ron-Leader Stedman mentioned that the weather conditions were all right from Paekakariki North, but between there and Wellington the clouds were low, particularly at Johnsonville, -where they were right on top of the hills. • Three other machines had got through from\ New Plymouth, but had crossed the range of hills further north and flown down the Hutt Valley. Squadron-Leader Stedman said there was no occasion for Gresser to have gone into the clouds. Instructions to Airmen, Captain Bolt gave evidence as to landing at Wanganui, meeting Gresser, who was then waiting for a better weather report from Wellington. Witness told him to wait at Palmerston until witness rang him from Wellington. After he got through witness got in touch with Gresser at Palmerston, and told him that he had got through quite easily into Upper Hutt. The actual crossing of the hills was made over a low saddle, where the Moonshine Road goes. Witness told Gresser to try that route, and if he could not get through there to try the usual route, and if he could not get through there to come down the coast. Gresser was bound under the rules of the club to follow witness’ instructions. He also told Gresser if he got into any difficulty to return jo Levin. ”'

Witness, to the coroner, said it was all right for Gresser to oome down the Johnsonville route, but he could not understand him flying Into the clouds.

When Mr Nisbet, secretary of the Aero Club, was proposed as a witness, the coroner remarked that he was satisfied the club was not to blame in any way. It seemed to him that the man was an embryo flier and did not know enough, and lost his- head.

After Mr Nisbet had given,, evidence the coroner said no doubt the officials of the club had done all in their

power to give the flyers information as to weather conditions and the right course to take.