DEATH DIVE

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 96, 14 December 1931, Page 2

DEATH DIVE

BARQNET'S SON KILLED IN TERRIFIC AIR CRASH. ^ FASTER THAN EXPERT HAD SEEN LONDON. Evidence that an aeroplane began to shed some of its essential parts while flying upside down at 2000 feet, and then crashed to earth with terrific yelocity, was given at an inquest at New Inn Green, near Hythe, on Mr. Nigel Benjamin Cohen, 28, son and heir of Sir Herbert Cohen, of Sandy Hatch. Mr. Cohen,. a medical student, at St. Bartholomew's' Hospital, London, died instantly from a broken neck, and the coroner for East Kent, Mr. Rutley Mowl, opened his inquiry by saying that no matter for what" purpose the machine had been built, it was ohvious it had been put to a strain it could not stand. Sir Hei'hert Cohen gave evidence fhat his son had tea with him on the afternoon of the tragedy, and then ^xpressed*' the intention of flying his machine, which was at Lympne.- He had been flying since the early summer of 1930, and was efficient. Deceased had been on many international journeys, and had assured witness that aerobatics were normally safe if performed at a height.

James Frederick Beazer, ground engineer, of the Cinque Ports Flying Glub at Lympne, gave evidence that Mr. Cohen, before taking off, asked him to inform the instructor of the club, a Mr. Brown, that he intended climbing to 4000 feet for an inverted spin, and he wished Mr. Brown to watch him. Mr. Cohen actually climbed to perhaps a little vover 4000 feet, and, after about two minutes' straight flying, the machine went into a gradual dive, which continued until it became beyond the vertical, and the pilot was on the under side of the machine. About 800 feet from the start of the dive Mr., Beazer saw an object, which appeared to be fabric, leave the 'plane. The dive continued in the "over-verti-cal position" for about another 200 feet, when more objects left the craft. They seemed then to be from a wing structure. The engine was running practically full out, and after the collapse of the wing structure the 'plane crashed. No Inspection. Mr. Beazer added that there had been no inspection of the 'plane at ihe club. Because it was Mr. Cohen's private property it was no part of witness' duty to inspect the machine at any time. — The coroner, after inspecting ,the log-book, remarked that since May Mr. Cohen had apparently done a good deal of aerobatics, and asked Br. Beazer, "Can you offer any suggestion as to what was the cause of the accident?"— Witness: It appeared to me that Mr. Cohen altered his original intention of an inverted spin, and wanted to do an outside loop. In making the initial dive to attempt this with the engine full on it appeared to me that the speed of the dive was too great, and put too much stress on the aircraft. Flying conditions were quite suitable.

Fairly Efficient. Keith Kendal Brown, pilot instructor of the Cinque Ports Flying Club, told the coroner that he considered Mr Cohen fairly efficient. He was airly careful, — Coroner: Of course, ■autious people don't go flying. — Mr. Brown: I was surprised when Cohen put the aircraft into a very steep dive. The aircraft got up a oerriffic speed — faster than I have ver seen a light aeroplane accomplish— and at a height of about 2500 feet some part of the aircraft broke hf. The 'plane, Mr. Brown, explained, then got into a spin and shed other portions. The spin was rapid at irst and appeared to slow up and as-

sume a flatter angle. Obviously the pilot could do nothing to regain control. — Coroner: Does what Mr. Cohen did comply with this certificate of airI worthiness ? You had better read it down and see, as that is the point I am concerned with. — Witness: I don't think there is anything there with which the pilot did not comply. — Does that mean the fault lies with the machine rather than with the pilot? — I No, no fault at all. There is nothing in the certificate that stipulates the speed of the • aircraft. It is a matter for the common sense of the pilot. Undoubtedly the cause of the accident

was the excessiv'e strain put on the aircraft by the speed of the dive. Major Cooper, H.M. Inspector of Accidents to the Air Ministry, intimated that he was engaged in piecing together the machine and trying to arrive at a technical conclusion. Unfortunately one important strut was missing, and he would like the coroner to appeal for its return, as the police had seen the portion in the fifeld. J On being informed by Major Cooper that his investigations into the accident would be completed in about two months, the coroner adjourned the inquest until November 28. "I should like to satisfy the public," added the coroner, "that these gallant young fellows are sent up under the very best possible conditions. Mr. Cohen was^ not a Service man, but' the Air Ministry issue' a certificate of airworthiness. ( Either there was a defect or there was no defect, and only by evidence to that efrect can we set : at rest the minds of the public."