AVIATION.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16721, 2 January 1920, Page 7

AVIATION.

4 THE ALLIANCE DISASTER. (Br C-abk.—Pre**! AMocia-tio-:.—Copyright.) (Auitnlitn and N.Z. Cible Association.) LONDON, Deceinbor 20. Tho Air Ministry's report on the Surbiton disaster shows that tho Alliance machine was first flown on O-tolx-r 17th, and its total flying time was 20 hours. The damage sustained in the accident of November 2nd was repaired, and Captain Douglas subsequentlv made four flights, amounting to about two hours. On tho day before the flight, during a trial, the machine earned a greater weight than on the day of the disaster. The pilot and navigator were both experienced airmen. Douglas's total flying timo was 303 hours, and I!os.-'s 21- hours. After the accident., all ih« control cables were inta t and >orviceah!p. Tho encino was stripped and di-f-hwed no deforts except those due to the impact. There uv.s no evidence of failure of anv part of tie aeroplane or engine. Tho C'omr.M tee of Tnouiry expresses the opinion that the accident was due to the machine getting into a spin at an altitude which did not allow tho pi lot to regain control. Tlio committee condemns the practice I of enclosing pilots in cockpits, with windows, which may le dimmed in clouds tints obscuring the view. This mav have been an important factor in ♦he loss of control. rTho Alliance aeroplane in which Cnptn;n Douglas and Lieutenant Jlos-s lefE FTounslow aerodrome to fly to Australia on November 13th. crashed at Surhiton, and l>oth the aviators were killed.] FLIGHT TO~AUSTRALIA. POULET'S INTENTIONS. (Australian N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received January 2nd, 12.5 a.m.) ALLAHABAD, January 1. Etienne Pottle t. in an interview, said that he was pleased that friends wero subscribing for a new aeroplnno to enable him to continue his journey to Australia, but unless he recoired an order from the French Government to continue the flight, ho proposed to return to France. He considered tho present season ttnsnitahle owing to the fo"s over tho Siamese frontier being worse than ever, am' tho rest of the rou'" not good. His present intent o" is to return some time in 1020 to finish the journey to Australia under the most favourable conditions. ROSS SMITH'S ACCIDENT. ATTEMPT TO REPAIR DAMAGE. (Received Janunrv 2nd. 12.5 a.m.) SYDNEY. January 1. Captain Sir ltoss Smith, in a letter, says that he "almost wept when tho accident happened. It seemed so silly to como so far, and then meet trouble just at tho last." He snvs that ho is going to try to repair the damage, and will do his best to reach Sydney with his machino. Ho contemplates making tho parts required to repair tho engine, and this will tako about a month. In another lotter he snvs he hopes to fly to Sydney early in February. [A messago from Sydney on December 26th Raid: Captain Sir Boss Smith's arrangements have been upset owing to tho breakdown of his engine. After starting from Charlevillo a fault was discovered in tho eng*"nc, compelling tho aviators to descend after travelling five miles. It was found that tho connecting rod had como off tho crank shaft, breaking tho crank arm. As he dispensed with all duplicate parts before leaving India, the probability is that the machine will bo dismantled nnd railed to Sydney, where duplicate parts will be awaited from London or India.] PERUVIAN COASTAL SERVICE. LIMA, December 30. It is announced thnt tho HandleyPage Company will shortlr commonce a I hydroplane sen-ice along tho Peruvian j coast.