FATAL AIR SMASH.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19157, 14 November 1927, Page 9

FATAL AIR SMASH.

INQUEST PROCEEDINGS. (by cable— peebs association—comwoht.) (australian and n.z. cable association.) (Eeceived November 14tt.," 1.15 aan.) LONDON, November 13. The inquest on tho East, Grinstead air crash showed that the pilot lost his way owing to a deranged compass. He was trying to return to Croydon when he ran short of petrol. The pilot and his companion had a dramatic tele- ' phone talk in mid-air. The former insisted that the latter should jump first, and gave Mm careful instructions in the use of the parachute. He then, tried to drop off himself when the machine was in a nosedive! The result was that the parachute had not time to open.

[A pilotleas Bristol -Fighter aeroplane new onwards over East Grinstead after two members of the Royal Air Force had jumped out at a height of 2000 feet. The pilot's parachute did not open, and his body was found with a hand still clutching the ring. The observer reached the ground safely. The aeroplane was found wrecked, after a long search, 200 yards from the pilot's body. The reason why the airmen jumped out was not explained. The wreckage was discovered in a thick wood, hidden as though expertly camouflaged. It could not be seen until the. searchers came alongside it. Its nose was buried deeply in the ground, with the wheels uppermost.]