CHANNEL AIR DISASTER

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 17 July 1929, Page 5

CHANNEL AIR DISASTER

RESULT OF INQUIRY (United Pros* Association— By Elaotiio Telegraph—Copyright) (Australian Press Association.—United Service) LONDON, 15th July. The report of the Court of Inqujry into the loss of the Imperial Airways liner City of Ottawa in "the English Channel says that the primary cause .of the disaster was the fracture of the big end studs, which could not have been foreseen. The makers of the engine deserve praise' for the precautions adopted to test such parts. The only chance of reaching land was to open out the other engine. The pilot was not blameworthy. The Court recommends the Air Ministry to require passenger-carrying 'planes to start the crossing with a sufficient height to render a safe crossing a reasonable certainty. The report says that the passengers were not properly instructed in the use of lifebelts, and states that investigations might be made with a view of devising a lifebelt which could be inflated inside the cabin. Nevertheless, there was no evidence that life was lost through a defective condition of belts or their design, or the inadequate instruction given passengers, i

Finally it is recommended that after June, 1930, certificates should be refused for land machines currying passengers over sea if they are unable to maintain a height with full load when one engine fails.