AIR TRAGEDY

Hokitika Guardian, 27 January 1930, Page 2

AIR TRAGEDY

• AUCKLAND INQUEST . CONCLUDED. MAJOR ISITT’S EVIDENCE. AUCKLAND, Jan. 23. The inquest concerning the deaths of Captain D. E. Harkness and C. F. Goldsbro, the pilot and mechanic, who were involved in the loss of the Hornier Libelle flying-boat off Milford on December ,12th, was concluded before Mr F. K. Hunt, Coroner. A verdict that their deaths were due to drowning as the result of the, flying-boat accidentally crashing was returned. Evidence .on • . the lines of that heard at the . Air Force enquiry held shortly after the accident was given. Archibald SJinger, engineer to the u Takapuna Borough Council, and Constable W. G. Wood, of 'Takapuna, referred to the strange behaviour of the machine on nearing Milford. Constable Wood stated that lie conducted an’unsuccessful search for stone ballaßt, which it was alleged was carried in the cockpit of the machine. It was, his. opinion that the atone would . have been* buried,. by the. constant movements of; sand .on the beach had it,, thrown out of Die machine. . ( ',' H. R. ; Burrett, a/.shareholder in Aerial Seryices,, Limited, the company operating the boat, said that he. noticed no stone in the, cockpit when the machine left on the fatal flight. The Coroner:said that, he had read the evidence given, at the enquiry. This was very conflicting on this point and it. was imposible, to say whether a stone had been carried. The finding of the enquiry and a statement were submitted by Major L. M. Isitt, who was associated with Captain S. Wallingford; of the Hobsonville air base, and Flying-Officer R. J. Copley,' of the Auckland Aero Club, in the holding of the enquiry. Questioned by the Coroner, Major Isitt said that the Aviation Act did not make it very clear whether any person, ; than a pilot . shquld be allowed, to fly, in an unlicensed machine. , , ;• . . .. . ;, •;

“A man may go up and, risk life in a ■ machine, but- he shoqld not ask his servant to go also,” the Coroner said. ■ ! • . • I■ Replying to E, ; P. Goldsbro, father of C. F Goldsbro, witness said that it was not necessary for two persons to fly the , machine. However,., an auxiliary petrol system had ; been installed-. and . the 1 mechanic!® services, might have been required in that direction, Probably he would also wish to obtain firsthand knowledge to the working of the new installations. Major Isitt commented upon the lack of a log book chronicling the tests carried out with the machine. This, he said, would have helped greatly. ,iat the enquiry. In giving his' finding, the Coroner commended' the swimmers who were early on the scene after the crash for their efforts in trying to rescue the imprisoned men. Asked whether there was a necessity for any rider which might help the authorities in controlling, private flying, Major Isitt said that regulations were now being prepared a® amendments to the Aviation Act. The causes of the accident as set out in the report of the enquiry , were added to the Coroner’s finding.