THE AEROPLANE TRAGEDY.

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 17 November 1920, Page 4

THE AEROPLANE TRAGEDY.

SIR KEITH SMITH’S VIEWS. THE DANGERS OP LANDING. Sir Keith Smith, well known as a participant in the pioneer flight from England to Australia, is at present m Wellington. He was grieved to hear of the death of a brother flying man but observed that it was the fate which faced them all. Gome airmen were more fortunate than others, but the danger of a crash was ever present in their minds. He gathered from the reports of the fatality that Captain Russtfll’s machine stalled when making a landing. That was a thing that often happened. It was not so dangerous at a good height, for then there was a chance of recovery, but it was fatal near (£e ground. Captain Russell apparently* lost flying speed, the machine dropped like a stone, nose down, and before he could regain control and Te-start his engine, the crash occurred. “I have seen many men killed that way,” said Sir Keith Smith. “It is one of the dangers of

landing. ’ ’ Speaking of the Arvo type of machine, such as Captain Russell used. Sir Keith Smith said it was one of the best machines for instructional and joy-riding purposes. It was regarded as perfectly safe. He hoped the public would not be unduly alarmed by this fatality, and get the idea that flying was a most dangerous pastime. As a matter of fact, an aeroplane was no more dangerous than a motor car when under proper control. Motoring accidents occurred frequently, but that did not deter people from riding in motor ears. Then why should an aviation fatality j shake public confidence in aeroplanes t