AIR TRAGEDY

Hokitika Guardian, 19 February 1930, Page 3

AIR TRAGEDY

A GRAPHIC STORY

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.)

LONDON, Fob. 18

How a relief aeroplane was sent up to extricate the pilot of an ungovernable dual-control machine from his dilemma was described at the inquest on Pilot Sergeant Cecil Fell, who was killed, after jumping, near Henley, Aerodrome.

Flight Lieut. Charles Truneh said: Squadron Leader Baker and other officers on the ground saw Fell Hying in circles in serious difficulty because his dual controls were jammed. Baker told Truneh to get alongside and signal to Fell to fly. upside down and try to dislodge the obstacle. When Truneh got there, he saw the rear controls jammed. Fell tried to overturn, but the jammed controls prevented him. Truneh then signalled him to try looping the loop. Fell, in replying, indicated that he intended to jump with the parachute. He signalled the Sergeant to follow him, and took him up to six thousand feet over Epsom Downs, which would make a parachute descent safer. Fell suddenly dived to two thousand feet, apparently in full control of his machine. Then lie again met trouble, and he jumped, but he forgot.to pull tile release cord, and consequently the parachute did not open.

Exports are of the opinion that the parachute in the rear seat, was insecurely fastened and prevented the dual control working fully.