AIR FORGE WIEN DROWNED

Evening Star, Issue 24333, 23 October 1942, Page 2

AIR FORGE WIEN DROWNED

CORONIAL FINDING LONG DELAY IN SENDING LAUNCHES (P.A.) NELSON, Get. 22. An inquest was held to-day into the' deatns of two members ot the Koval New Zealand Air Force, Pilot-officer Dean Itainsford Horroeks, aged 20, and Sergeant Vincent Charles Hill, aged 23, iu an aircraft accident. The coroner’s verdict was that both died at sea, death being due to drowning after a period of snock and exposure following an aircraft accident when the plane struck the sea. The coroner said he wondered why launches were not sent out earlier, but it was not for him to make comments on some aspects of the case. No doubt they would be inquired into by the Air Force, and such action as might be necessary would be taken. Fligut-lieutenant William Ailison said that the plane left the aerodrome on exercises. It was piloted by Pilotofficer Horroeks. The crew consisted of Warrant-officer Colway, Sergeants Chappell, Stevens, Bryson, and Hill, and Aircraftman Davis. He heard of the accident at 4.0 p m., and immediately organised an air search. Twentyfive minutes later the first plane sent out reported having sighted ■ men struggling in the water. Gordon Douglas Rowling, a farmer, who saw the plane disappear into the sen. said that with a Air Fauehelle he rowed a dinghy out to the scene several miles off shore. After they had been rowing for some time a plane came over and commenced to circle the actual spot, where they later came across three men in the water. All three were pulled into the dinghy, one dying shortly afterwards. The coroner congratulated witness on his prompt action, it was quite likely that through it he had saved life. Ernest George Dudley,, a fisherman, described going to the scene of the crash in his launch, at 5 p.m. Witness agreed that had bo been sent out at 4 p.m. be could have reached the scene half an hour ahead of Rowling. He knew of no reason for the delay. His launch was not one of the launches included in the sea rescue service of tin l Air Force. Warrant-officer James A. Colway explained that he was a member of the crew which wont out on exercises. Everything went well, and they had completed exercises and were preparing to return to the aerodrome. About 3.-lo p.m., while he was in the nose of the machine, he heard a “ loud bang ” From previous experience in England he knew that the propeller had struck the water. Immediately the plane began to vibrate and at the same time the engine revolutions increased. He knew then that the pilot was trying to gain altitude. He then went back to the pilot and heard him say: ‘‘ Prepare to abandon aircraft'.” The pilot was then still at the controls.

The plane climbed to about 200 ft, witness continued. The next time he looked out the plane was losing height and going towards the. sea. The pilot was wearing a life jacket, and he knew that at least five of the crew had life jackets. Tie himself was not wearing one, and he was the last to leave the plane. He tried to release the dinghy that was carried on the plane, but was unable to do so as the plane was sinking after floating for about 30 seconds. When he got free all the others were floating about in the water. They were talking to one another, and about 10 minutes later he heard the pilot say that one was missing. He decided to try to swim for the shore as he had no life jacket, witness said. He was accompanied by Hill and another sergeant, whom he did not know. During the time he was in the water a plane came over and dropped a life jacket, which witness scoured. Later, the plane dropped a rubber dingily, but he was unable to reach it owing to the wind and tide. He was later picked up in a dinghy.He had been in the water for about two hours. There was .sufficient time after the accident to launch the dinghy from the plane if it had been attempted immediately. He thought they were five miles out when the accident happened. As far as he knew, no one was hurt when the plane hit the water. Squadron-leader J. Bush explained the organisation of the sea rescue service. which was put into operation immediately the accident was reported. Owing to the state of the tide there" appeared to be some. difficulty in getting a launch out of the nearest coastal port. A launch from a greater distance was called out at 4.30 p.m. Witness said that life jackets were issued to all air crews with instructions that they were to be carried when in the air. The aircraft dinghv was subject to regular inspection and testing. and had proved capable of supporting 10 men.