FLYING CRASH

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19816, 21 February 1936, Page 7

FLYING CRASH

OPENING OF INQUEST. EVIDENCE OF PASSENGER. FATAL landing at rongotai. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.} WELLINGTON, Thursday. Evidence regarding the llying accident at Rongotai aerodrome yesterday. when a Union Airways private Charter ffiaetilne crashed after striking the wind-indicator mast, fatally injuring Squadron-Leader M. C. McGregor, service manager of Union Airways, who was piloting the machine, was given at the inquest today bv Mr Charles William Fielden Hamilton, of Fail-lie, who was the only passenger in the aeroplane, and escaped with slight injuries. Mr Hamilton said the aeroplane left Palmerston North at 2.5 p.m. for Wellington, in steady rain. The visibility was about 1000 yards. Flying conditions were bad, and the trip down the western coast was bumpy, the altitude being from 500 ft to 600 ft. Wellington was sighted at about 3.5 p.m., and the machine circled the aerodrome at Rongotai once at an altitude of about 200 ft. “When we were about to land from the northern side a wing struck something, which I later ascertained to be the wind-indicator,” said witness. “Owing to rain on the windscreen the visibility was not good, and I did not see the indicator before the accident and do not think Mr McGregor saw it. I am positive that the cause of the accident was the aeroplane striking thi« apparatus.”. “Took No Chances.*’ Witness said he was seated behind pilot at the time of the crash. Replying to the coroner, witness said lie was not talking to the pilot. They could see the whole of the aerodrome juite clearly. The pilot was chiefly looking out the only open window, that on the left-hand side, and glancing also to his right. The Coroner: You say that visibility through the windscreen was bad? Witness: Well, it was rather blurred, not like what it would have been on a flne day. The coroner asked If there were not windscreen wipers. Witness said he did not notice any. Certainly none was in action. Squadron-Leader G. L. Stedman, asked on the point, said that it was not common to have windscreen wipers In aeroplanes. Squadron-Leader Sieiinan said deceased was one of the most experienced pilots in New Zealand, with a wonderful war record. The machine would be In good order, and deceased would be familiar with it. “He was landing a bit short, and obviously struck the anemometer inast with the right wing,” said witness. The wind was gusty and was blowing «t from 15 to 35 miles an hour from the south. The Coroner: He was a great “stunter,” I know, b.ut did he take chances? Witness: In flying such as he was doing yesterday, no chances whatever. Sub-Inspector C. E. Roach said the machine would have to be examined and expert evidence would later be called. The inquest was adjourned sine die. LATE MR MoGREGOR. TRIBUTES FROM COMRADES. “ A BRILLIANT AIRMAN.” HASTINGS, Thursday. Tributes to the distinguished flying record of the late Squadron-Leader McGregor and to his personal character were paid by Squadron-Leader L. M. Isitt, R.N.Z.A.F., commandant of the Hobsonville Air Base, and by FlightLieutenant M. W. Buckley, R.N.Z.A.F., both of whom are visiting Hastings. “ It was with very sincere regret that I learned of the death of SquadronLeader McGregor,” said SquadronLeader I*itt. “He had a most distinguished war record as a pilot, and was the best-known commercial pilot in New Zealand. He continued tlie universally high opinion of his previous =r;eat achievements by his very fine performance in the Melbourne Centenary Air Race, and his death will lie a great loss to Union Airways and to commercial aviation generally, tt was the luck of the game that an accident from which he might have easily escaped with only slight injuries should have caused his death.” “ I have been closely associated with Squadron-Leader McGregor, as Squad-ron-Leader Isitt was, for many years.” said Flight-Lieutenant Buckley, “ and I looked upon him as a brilliant airman, a modest gentleman, and a staunch comrade. Hi* flying achievements, both in war and in peace, marked him out as an airman far above the average. He was a daring but tliorougblv skilled pilot: in fact, be was one 0 Y those rare men who had the instinctive genius for aviation. His dealli will be deeply mourned by everybody connected with aviation In this country, as well as by many who came to know him abroad as a war pilot and as a tontestant in the Centenary Air Race."