CAUSE A MYSTERY.

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

CAUSE A MYSTERY.

London, April 14. Sir Boss Smith accompanied Captain Cockerill on the trial trip as a passenger, but* the flight on which he met his death was the first time he hamfied-the controls'of ; the Vickers amphibian, which recently won the £IO,OOO Government prize. No one saw the'; actual crash, as the spot is hidden by a clump of big firs. When the 1 onlookers reached the spot, Bennett was moaning, but he died as he was being taken from the wreckage. The fabric was torn off the machine, which was so wrenched that the propellers (which were split on two) lay facing inwards. Captain Cockerell says he is unable to explain the accident. When questioned, he said the machine was new to Sir Boss Smith, and also that the latter had had some months of comparative inactivty from flying. The situation was something like that of a man with a new mount in the first run of the hunting season. Other experts are doubtful whether the cause was engine failure or ■whether the pilot did not allow sufficient height for flattening out after the spin.

The manager of the Brooklands motor works says that if Sir Ross Smith had had an extra 100 feet he eoukl have righted the aeroplane. Another observer says th 6 engine stopped, but this is not confirmed. The bodies will be embalmed and taken to Australia for a State funeral. WIDESPREAD GRIEF. London, April 15. Universal .tributes are paid by all the British, French and Continental press to Sir Ross Smith’s daring and resourcefulness. Sir Keith Smith cabled the news to a friend, who broke it to the parents of the dead airman. The latter were deeply stricken at the loss of their famous son. Messages of sympathy are pouring in from all sides. NEW ZEALAND’S SYMPATHY. A BRILLIANT CAREER ENDED. The following cable message was dispatched by His Excellency the Governor-General, Viscount Jellicoe, to the Governor-Genei’al of the Commonwealth: “Deeply regret to learn of tragic death of Sir Ross Smith, ending as it does a career of brilliant achievement and still more brilliant promise. On behalf of this Dominion I beg to express sincere sympathy with the relatives of Sir Ross Smith and Lieutenant Bennett in their sad bereavement. —(Signed) .Jellieoe.” MESSAGE FROM THE KING. “LOSS TO THE EMPIRE.” " London, April If). Sir Keith Smith has- received the following telegram from the King’s private secretary at Windsor Castle: —“The King and Queen are shocked to hear of the terrible accident in which your brother, Sir Ross Smith, and Lieutenant Bennett, lost I heir lives as they were preparing to embark on yet- another daring exploit. Their Majesties feel that by their death the Empire lias lost two of its foremost pioneers in flight. T am desired to assure you of their heartfelt sympathy in your sorrow.”