DUKE OF KENT’S DEATH

Southland Times, Issue 24870, 9 October 1942, Page 5

DUKE OF KENT’S DEATH

CAPTAIN OF AIRCRAFT BLAMED FOR CRASH (8.0.W.) RUGBY, October 7. The Secretary for Air, Sir Archibald Sinclair, has announced in the House of Commons the findings of the Royal Air Force Court of Inquiry into the Sunderland flying-boat’s crash on August 15 when the Duke of Kent lost his life. The court states that before the plane’s departure the correct procedure for briefing the captain about the exact route and for providing full meteorological information was complied with. Local conditions were not good at the time of the take-off, but general indications showed a likelihood of improvement to the west. The captain of the aircraft was a pilot of long experience on that particular type of aircraft. Half-an-nour after the take-off he was heard approaching the land from the sea at what appeared to be a low height and shortly afterwards he was heard to crash into the hills. The court finds:— (1) That the accident occurred because the aircraft was flown on a track other than that indicated on the flight plan given to the pilot and at too low an altitude to clear the rising ground on the track. (2) That responsibility for a serious mistake in airmanship lies with the captain of the aircraft. (3) That the weather encountered should have presented no difficulties to an experienced pilot. (4) That an examination of the propellers showed that the engines were under power when the aircraft struck the ground. (5) That in accordance with the King’s Regulations and Air Council instructions all the occupants of the aircraft were on duty at the time of the accident. The Chief Inspector of Accidents is in agreement with the findings of the court.

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