FLYING BOAT TRAGEDY

Hokitika Guardian, 19 December 1929, Page 2

FLYING BOAT TRAGEDY

THE INQUEST. DEFECT IN RISING POWER. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, December 17. The inquiry into the flying boat tragedy was continued to-day. I). Retter, residing at Takapuna, said the machine was flying very low inland, and almost touched some macrocapa trees. Fie thought it would strike his house, but it deviated slightly, and seemed to miss the ground by a little more than a dozen feet. It then gained height and crashed over the sea. Further evidence was given regarding the stone used to ballast. Major lsitt said: “It is my theory that the stone had been carried in the

back seat. When the machine turned over ’on the water, it may have been dislodged, and have thus fallen across the pilot’s knees, where a previous witness found it. I think we can find

out whether a similar stone was taken from a shed near the moorings of the flying boat. If the stone had been in (front of the cockpit from the first I would have expected that the control column would have been damaged in the crash.

The petrol feed troubles experienced by Captain Mann in the trials were refer ied to, and a letter addressed to Captain Harkness by the Australian agent for Dernier Libelle machines at Newcastle, and hearing the date of the day of the crash, was produced. This stated: “We have had similar experiences with the Libelle. T stated in my last letter that we had some Double with the petrol pump. My friends decided to instal an Avro windmill pump. Since then the feeding system has been working quite satisfactorily. M.y friends have also come to the conclusion that the Libelle is slightly underpowered when taking off with two passengers. They are at the present moment experimenting by increasing the revolutions of the engine with a propellor supplied by Dornier’s, The

maximum revolutions are 1900, while the engine is built to do 2100. I have taken up this matter with Domieis, and have recommended them to improve the design of the Libelle. in any case i "'ill recommend future clients to have the boat equipped with Cirrus-Hermes or Siemens S-.H.14," Captain Mann said that the experience was comparable to his own opeiation of the machine. The flying boat had never failed him in the air, but he could not get the maximum engine revolutions and power to life a pilot and two passengers.

A technical report before the inquiry committee shows that when the wreckage was examined on the beach, all the control cables were intact and connected, and the control column was free to move. The impact had broken the rudder bars. The wing locking pins were intact, and in place. Both magnetos appeared to have been functioning, and although the immersion rendered it difficult to discuss the engine failure, the dismantling of the motor revealed no defects.

Major lsitt said the police were making future investigations, and tin inquiry would probably be resumed ii a few days. CJh the evidence alread, available be might make a report t< headquarters.