SURBITON TRAGEDY

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 83, 2 January 1920, Page 5

SURBITON TRAGEDY

& DECISION OF COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY NO EVIDENCE OF FAILURE OF MACHINE (By Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright London, December 30. At the inquiry into the Surbiton tragedy in which Lieutenant-Colonel Douglas and Lieutonant Ross wero lolled at tho outset of their attempt to fly lo Australia in an Alliance aeroplane, there was no evidence of the failure of any part of the aeroplane or the engine. Tho Committee of Inquiry was of opinion that the accident was due to tho machino getting into a spin at an altitude which did not allow the n'lot to regain control. The committee condemned the practice of enclosing pilots in a cockpit with windows. Tho windows of Colonel Douglas's machine might have been dimmed in tho clouds, thus obscuring tho view, and this might havo been an important factor in tho loss of control.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. AIR MINISTRY'S REPORT. London, December 30. The Air Ministry report on the Surbiton. disaster shows that the machine was first flown on October 17, its total flying time being twenty hours. The damage sustained in action on November 2 was repaired, and Douglas subsequently made four (lights, amounting to about two hours. Oil tho day before the flight, during a trial flight, the machino carried a greater weight than on tho day of the disaster. The pilot and navigator wero both experienced, Douglas's total flying time being 363 hours and Boss's 212 hours. After the accident all the control cables were intact and serv'ceable. The engino when stripped disclosed no defect except what wa9 duo to impact.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ROSS SMITH'S MISHAP WILL MAKE ANOTHER EFFORT TO FLY TO SYDNEY. (Bee. January 1, 11.55 p.m.) Sydney, January 1, Captain Bass-Smith, in a letter, says thnt ho almost wept when the accident happened. It seemed so silly to come so far and then meet trouble just at tho last. He says that ho is going to try to repair tho damage and will do his best to reach Sydney with tho maohine. Ho contemplntEs making tho parts roquired, which will lake about a month. In another letter ho says he hopes to fly to Sydney oarly in February'.—Press Assn. POULET'S INTENTIONS (Bee. January 1, 11.55 p.m.) Allahabad, January 1. Poulet, interviewed, said tiliat lie was pleased that friends wero subscribing tor a new aeroplane to enablo him to continue tho journey to Australia, but unless ho received an order from tho French Government lo continuo the flight he would return to France. He considers the present season unsuitable owing lo tho fogs over tho Siamese frontier being worse than ever, and tho rest of the j'outo not. good. Ilis present intention is to 'solum some time in 1920 to finish the journey to Australia under tho most favourablo conditions—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. PERUVIAN HYDROPLANE SERVICE Lima, December 30. It is announced that the Haudley-Pago Company will shortly comiuenco a hydroplane service along U\e Peruvian coast— Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.