INSPECTOR’S REPORT

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 89, 9 January 1935, Page 9

INSPECTOR’S REPORT

Crash of British Air Liner

Loudon, January 7.

The Air Ministry’s Inspector of Accidents attributes the Hillman air liner’s crash to the pilot’s lack of skill in navigation. _ Apparently he attempted to fly within sight of ground landmarks instead of above the clouds where the weather was good. The pilot in attempting to pick up the coastline again, flew into the sea not distinguishing its glassy surface through the mist.

A cable dated October 2 stated that the lives of six passengers and the pilot were lost when an aeroplane belonging to Hillman Airways* crashed into the Channel three miles from Folkestone while proceeding from Abridge, Essex, to Le Bourget. Wreckage was found by the German cargo steamer Leander, and the cross-Channel steamer Biarritz brought five of the bodies into Folkestone. Ram was falling and visibility was very poor at the time of the disaster, Three of the passengers were French, two British and one American. The pilot. \V. R. Bannister, was a war-time airman of great experience. This was the first accident Hillman Airways has had.

.TESTED IN SECRET

British Fighter Planes r>

London, January 2.

Five British single-seater “fighter” aeroplanes are being tested secretly by Koval Air Force pilots in order to select the best for the re-equipment of the R.A.F. in 1935. All the machines are capable of 300 miles an hour and are the world’s fastest fighting planes. The specifications demand ability to remain in the air for several hours and to carry radio equipment and oxygen apparatus. Two of the experimental machines are monoplanes.' One possesses the firSt retractable undercarriage to be fitted to a British war plane. When the best machine has been selected, a squadroM will be supplied with it to enable further tests to be made before large production orders are given. Meanwhile, another squadron has been equipped with Gloster Gauntlets, general purpose “fighters.” Despite their big load, their maximum speed is 231 miles an hour, and they climb to 20.000 ft. in 9min. 25sec.