AIR FATALITY SEQUEL

Shannon News, 29 December 1926, Page 2

AIR FATALITY SEQUEL

KEMPSTON BALLOON CRASH, FLYING WITHOUT A PERMIT. FINES OF £l5O IMPOSED. There was a sequel at Bedford recently to the balloon accident at Kempston on August 3, when five people were killed. Messrs. C. G. ' Spencer and Sons, Ltd. aeronautical engineers, of Highbury, N., owners of the balloon, were summoned for allowing it to be flown without special ; permission in writing from the Secretary of State and without being certl- . tied as airworthy. * The accident oceured at the sports and flower show at Hoo Park, Kerapston. The balloon had reached its highest altitude, when the basket parted from the betting, and Captain j£. T. Willows, the pilot, and the passengers-—Mr. and Mrs. E. Crowsley and Mr. and Mrs. W. Harbage, all of Kempston —were killed. - Mr. Maurice Healy, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, said that on the day of the accident there was no certificate of airworthiness and no permit had been given. Major J.P.C. Cooper, inspector, of accidents for the Air Ministry, said that the galloon had been registered 9 as a spherical free balloon and not as a captive balloon. The distinction , wa s of great importance,' for the stresses and strains imposed on the netting of a 'free balloon were very much less than upon a captivie balloon. . ' ' A Temporary Certificate. An informal or temporary certificate of airworthiness had been Issued * on July 28, 1925, for the balloon as a . spherical free balloon. It was. valid , for three months. , Mr. J.D. Cassels, K.C.’ M.P., for the defence, produced the original certificate of airworthiness,® and Major Cooper said it was not specifically in respect of a free balloon. The certificate was current until October 25, 1925, and contained the words, ‘‘Pending the issue of a certificate of airworthiness proper, this certificate will stand in lieu.” Mr. F.W. Verrey, of the Air Ministry, said that only two formal certifi- , cates of airworthiness for balloons ana two temporary ones had been issued since 1919. Only 18 or 20 balloons had been registered. The Chairman: You don’t seem to have had a very busy time. (Laughter.) Mr. Verrey stated that a cheque for five guineas wa s paid by Messrs. Spencer to the Air Ministry on June 17, 1925,, in respect of an airworthiness certificate for the balloon. Only the temporary certificate had been issued. • Mr. Cassels: Was any step tkken between July 1925 and August 1926, by the Air Ministry Department to issue the proper certificate? —No further action was taken. But the cheque was cashed? —Yes. Imposition of Fines. The Air Ministry, said Mr. Verrey, granted a permit to Messrs. Spencer to fly another ballpon at Catford In July, 1926. They knew at the time that the applicants had not a current certificate of airworthiness. The magistrates convicted on both summonses. For failure to . have a' permit they imposed a fine of £IOO. Regarding the failure to have an airworthy certificate they agreed that the phrasing of the temporary certificate was ambiguous, but imposed a penalty of £SO. The costa were fixed at 30 guineas.