The Air Disaster.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 April 1922, Page 3

The Air Disaster.

WORLD FLIGHT ABANDONED

WJSTI’ALIAN AND N.Z. CABf.P, ASSOCIATION LONDON. April 15 Sir Ross Smith was accompanied by Captain Cockerell on a trial t rip, but the death flight was the first time he had handled the contiols of the VickersAmphibian, which recently won a C! 0,000 Government prize. Ross Smith's last word was “Cheerio” to Cockerell, as lie pul the wheels in motion.

Iteun.Tt was moaning, but died, as he was taken from the wreckage. The fabric was torn off, and the machine sa wrenched that the propellers, which s; Ilf in two, lay facing inwards. When the doctor motored up, Sir Keith Smith, who had borne up bravely. said: “Please, look to my brother, and see if there’s any chance.” The doctor immediately saw Ross’s condition was hopeless, and returned to Keith, who had walked a little way apart. Keith said, “1 see by your face that all is over.” The doctor nodded.

Cockerell says lie is unable to explain Hie accident. Questioned, he said 'be machine was new. Ross Smith also had some months’ comparative inactivity from Hying. The situation was something like a new mount in the first run of the hunting season.

THE INQUEST. Universal tributes are paid by all the British, French, and Continental press to Sir Ross Smith’s daring resourcefulness. The Coroner at Weylnidge, at the inquest on Sir Ross Smith and Benuott said it was an exceedingly sad ease, lie sympathised, not only with the relatives, but with aviation interests. Australia had lost one of its best Hying hoys, who had done good service to the Empire. Muller. Superintendent- of Vickers at Biooklands, gave evidence that the machine was perfect and the fact that Smith got her out of her spin hallway down proved the controls were intact. Cockerell stated, in evidence, that he handed the machine to Smith alter hail an hour’s llight. !!■’ climbed from the machine leaving the engine running. Smith took his scat and flow off. Smith knew the machine pertcetly. The only thing which attracted Cockerell’s attention was that when Smith shut, off the engine and was in a spin, the machine was not running.

A verdict was returned of death by misadventure.

It is announced that Sir Keith Smith ill not carrv out tlm world flight. ADELAIDE. April 15.

Ross Smith's death siia-lvd the community. Flags were hall--mnst<’d, and there were many refer nrcs to il at Good Friday "re ires. v -' ; r Keith Smith cabled 1 lie news to ffiend?, Im bum * it, to their parents. The latter v. deepiv stricken at the 'ins of their famous son. Message.; of sympathy, arc pouring in from all sides. MELBOURNE, April 15

Mr AY. M. Hughes (Federal Premier) lias dispatched a message expressing the sympathy of the Commonwealth with the parents of Sir Ross fluid:. Numerous other tributes are being received. WELLINGTON. April Hi Tic.- following cable has been sent by 11 is Excellency, Hi, Governor-General (Viscount JwJlicoei to ike Govern orGenera! of the Commonwealth: "Deeply regret to learn of the tragic deal:, id Sir Ross Smith, ending, as it does, a career of brilliant promise. On behalf of this Dominion I hog to express sincere sympathy with the relatives el Sir Ross Smith and Lieut Bennett in their sad bereavement.—eSgd.)—Jellicoe.”

FURTHER PARTICULARS. LONDON, Ami! 13

A special representative was to have accompanied Sir Ross Smith on hrlirst trial flight, hut Ross said :

‘•Sorry old man, there is no loom. You will get a better view from the oilier plane.” He ascended in the \ eruun iiia-hine which kept company with Ross’s machine descending. The rep;v seiitutive mid Keith watched Ross’s second flight. Yd he 11 tlu- machine (lev- loped a spinning nos - .' dive and became uncontrollable, Keith buried his face in his hands, flung himself to theoarth to avoid seeing his brother crash to a terrible fate. When the end came, he groaned : "I'h all up. Oh! Mg P«<>r father and mother, this will kdl them.

Then he insisted on going acoss >e see (he wreckage. On the way he said: “|| - it had only been me, instead oi Ross ; if i’il only b eii there too. Wind a ghastly finale.” Ross’s forehead was terribly bruised, and there was a dr.eadlul gash on the I- ft eheel;.

Yd'iien ol! feel from earth, Ross eut (lilt his engine, and mad-, a great swoop, I-yiiig to ge‘. aw. y. ! hen cam the end, wlib-h was mercil oily hidden f lis by t!*-• banked lacing track. Sir Keith examined t'e mm lime e reiullv after tie- acrid; nt. I.ur failed '■> diseovei the cans.-. He said : “Tiles' spins are generally due to tail trouble, but il was not tail 1 rmiLie ibis time.” Win n'oterdig bach to London, the Press .representative urged Sir Keith to give up Hying. s:;,. • ~:' | guv a ivpicelly gallant reply. "We must not lose our nerve. .Just before going up Ross said to me 1 1,-, i|f anything goes wrong in the world, [light, don’t complain or blame anyone; it is the last tiling in th ■ world I would desire. We are taking the risk knowing Hie danger, and amember that Australians never squeal. Sir Keitli declared that Sir R"-'- <>ied as he would have desired. Sir Keitli proposes to lake both bodies to Australia.

A .MEMORIAL MACHINE. 'Received This Day at 8 a.m.) SYDNEY, April 17. Particularly since the news of Ida death, the Vickers Vim v machine :n tt hirh Sir Ross Smith made TfTs historic night to Australia, being exhibited in "the Agricultural Show, is the centre of attraction. It lias now decided this morning that the machine he sent to Melbourne where it will 1 )0 placed permanently in the Australian war museum. INQUEST TESTIMONY, ‘Received This Day at 8 a m ) LONDON, April > r >- the inquest on the nrcrffft vie*

tims, Sir Keith Smith testified it was

the first time his brother had flow i the Amphibean machine. Muller, Superintendent at Biooklands said the machine was similar to those supplied tile British, Canadian, Japanese. and Dutch Governments. It was in complete flying trim. There was no defect anywhere. The controlling parts were absolutely intact after the accident. ft was a good day foi flying.

Corkerell gave evidence that the mi. chine was not examined when ho and Ross descended from the preliminary flight because the engines were running. Ross merely replaced Cockers'! at the controls. He testified he had seen the construction of the main ma chine throughout. It was perfect in every respect. Ross understood hL demonstrations during the test fligld perfectly. The fact that it was an Amphibean machine made no difference to flying. Ross, while in the air, suggest cd they land and he be given control.. Witness was convinced nothing was wrong with the engine. Though Ross in the first attempt, failed to stop the fatal spin, he succeeded in the second attempt, but then was too near the ground. 'Hie machine was travelling at one hundred miles an hour.

FURTHER TRIBUTES. (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, Am il 15

The “Times” states after the accident, Sir. Keith Smith, weeping bitterly, said —“Oh, Ross, old chap, why didn’t I come with you. Speak to me ’’ The “Times” in a tribute to the dew! airman said Ross Smith was the great hero of adventure, and is new called to rejoin men of Ills old troop at Gallipoli. Let us think of his great soul soaring upward through the heights that confessed him the eom.r. ror, awn,from the environs of earth that drag ged him down. He saw afioi lie realised the hazardous paths he followed of what must one day he the Irgl ways < f a new ago of imperial uni tv. in their faith. With his brave companion be takes his place in the a Lance go,aid of human progress.

ROYAL SYMPATHY. [Received This Day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, April If..

Sir Keith Smith received the following telegram from the Private Sccertary at Windsor Castle—“ The King and Queen were shocked to hear of the terrible accident in which your brother Ross and Bennett Inst their lives as they were preparing to embark on yet another daring exploit. Their Majesties feel by their death that the Empire has lost two of the foremost pi >- lieers in air llight. I am desired to assure you of their heartfelt sympathy in vour sorrow.”

AIRMAN'S TRIBUTE. SYDNEY. April 17

Lieutenant Shiers interviewed, said ho was unable to express his feelings at the nay Sir Ross Smith went out. He was loved bv all. (lit the historic llight Duiin England he was a great, man always and full of confidence, no matter how hopeless the situation. and ready with a “Cheerio” he always put m w heart in the party.

The Governor-General sent a message of condolence to the parents of Smith and Bennett.

LONDON. April Id

Though the bodies of Sir Ross Smith and Limit. Bennett were embalmed with a view to shipping to Australia, Sir Keith Smith has not decided whether to bury them in England or Australia.

TO BE BI*RTED IN ENGLAND (Received This Dav at. 8 a.m.)

LONDON. April 16

Sir Keith Ross states he has no plans for the future. He has practically decided that Sir Ross Smith and Lieut. Bennett lie buried at Weybridge. one of the most foremost spots associated with aviation. It would be impossible for him to proceed to Australia for some weeks, owing to finalising business contracts. He had previously left it all to poor old Boss.

THE MOTHER'S WISHES. ADELAIDE. April 18

Sir Keith Smith cabled to his mother ; ('vising the! Ro-s’s body be not brought to Australia. Ihe mother replied: '‘Unless there are strong grounds for not doing so, she and her husband dc-sii> the remains to he buried at Aihdaide.