THE AIR TRAGEDY

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2418, 18 April 1922, Page 3

THE AIR TRAGEDY

CORONER’S TRIBUTE TO SIR ROSS SMITH. NOTHING WRONG WITH . MACHINE. London, April 15. - The coroner at Weybridge, at the inquest on Sir Ross Smith and Lieutentnis’Bennett, said it was an exceedingly sad case. - He sympathised not only with the relatives, but with aviation interests. Australia had lost one of her best flying boys, who had done good service to the Empire. • - Mr Muller, superintendent for Vickers at Brooklands, gave evidence that the machine was perfect, and the fact that Sir Ross Smith got -her out of her spin half-way down proved that the controls were intact. Captain Cockerell stated in evidence that he handed the machine to Smith after a half-hour flight. He climbed from the machine, leaving the engine running. Sir Ross Smith took the seat and flew off. Sir Ross Smith knew the machine perfectly. The only thing which attracted Captain Cockerell’s attention was when Sir Ross Smith shut off the engine and was in a spin the machine was not running. A verdict was returned of death by misadventure. TOUCHING SCENES.

“AUSTRALIANS NEVER SQUEAL.” London, April 15. When the doctor motored up to the scene of the disaster which cost Sir Ross Smith and Lieutenant Bennett their lives, Sir Keith Smith, who bore up bravely, said: “Please look at my brother and see if there is any chance.” The doctor immediately saw that the case was hopeless, and returned to Sir Keith, who had walked a little way apart. Sir Keith said: “I see by your face all is over.” The doctor nodded, and Sir Keith broke down, kneeling oyer his brother’s remains. It is announced that Sir Keith Smith will not carry out the proposed flight round the world. London, April 13.

A special representative of the Australian Press Association was to have accompanied Sir Ross Smith on the first trial flight, but Sir Ross said: “Sony, old man, there is no room. You will get a better view from the other ’plane.” The Correspondent ascended in a Vernon machine, which kept company with the other machine. Descending, the representative watched Sir Ross Smith’s second flight. With the representative , was Sir Keith Smith, who arrived too late to accompany his brother.

“When the machine developed a - spinning nose-drive, and was uncontrollable,” says the correspondent, “Sir Keith'Smith buried his face in his hands and flung himself on the earth to avoid seeing his brother crash to a terrible fate. When the end came he grpaned: ‘lt’s all up. Oh, my poor father and mother. This will kill them.’ He then insisted on going across to see the wreckage. On the way he said: ‘lf only it had been me instead of Ross. If I’d only been there too —what a ghastly finale.’ Sir Ross Smith’s forehead was terribly bruised,.and there was a dreadful gash on.the left creek.' “Fifty feet from earth the aviator cut out the engine and made a great swoop, like a wounded bird trying to get away. Then came the end, which was mercifully hidden from us by the.banked racing track. Sir Keith Smith examined the machine carefully after the accident, but failed to discover the cause. He said: “These spins are generally due to tail trouble, but it is not tail trouble this time.’ ”

While motoring hack to London the correspondent urged Sir Keith to give Tip flying, but he gave a typically gallant reply: “We must not lose our nerve.” Continuing his story, the correspondent says: “Just before going up, Sir Boss had a talk with me. He said: Tf anything goes wrong with the world flight, don’t complain or blame anyone. That is the last thing in the world I would desire. We are taking the risk knowing the danger; and, remember, Australians never squeal.’ ”

Sir Keith Smith declared that his brother died as he would have desired —in harness, with a sharp, sudden, headlong dive to earth, and dying before he knew the bitterness of-defeat. “He : proposes to take both bodies, to Australia.