PLANE CRASHES INTO SEA

Southland Times, Issue 24882, 23 October 1942, Page 4

PLANE CRASHES INTO SEA

Inquest Into Deaths Of Two Airmen

(P.A.) NELSON, October 22. An inquest was held today into the deaths of two members of the Royal New Zealand Air Force. Pilot Officer Dean Rainsford Horrocks, aged 20, and Sergeant Vincent Charles Hill, aged 23, in an aircraft accident. The Coroner’s verdict was that both died at sea, death being due to drowning after a period of shock and exposure after an aircraft accident when the plane struck the sea. The Coroner said he wondered why launches were not sent out earlier, but it was not for him to make comments on some aspects of the case. No doubt they would be inquired into by the Air Force and such action as might be necessary would be taken. Flight Lieutenant William Allison said that the plane left an aerodrome on exercises piloted by Horrocks. The crew consisted of Warrant Officer Colway, Sergeants Chappell, Stevens,. Bryson and Hill and Aircraftman Davis. He heard of the accident at 4.5 p.m. Immediately he organized an aerial search. Twenty-five minutes later the first plane sent out reported people struggling in the water, WATER STRUCK Warrant Officer James A. Colway explained that he was a member of the crew which went out on exercise. Everything went well and they had completed the exercises and were winding in the gun preparatory to returning to the aerodrome. He heard a loud bang about 3.45 p.m. while he was winding. They were flying at about 40 feet above the water. From previous experience in England he knew that the propeller had struck the water. Immediately the plane began to vibrate and at the same time the engine revolutions increased. He knew then that the pilot, was trying to gain altitude. He went back to the pilot and heard him say: “Prepare to abandon aircraft.” The pilot was still at the controls. The plane climbed to about 200 feet. The next time he looked out the plane was losing height and going towards the sea. The pilot was wearing a life-jacket. When he saw them in the water he knew that at least five of the crew had life-jackets. He himself was not wearing one and he was the last to leave the plane. He tried to release the dinghy that was carried on the plane, but was unable to do so as the plane was sinking. The plane floated for about 30 seconds.

ONE MAN MISSING When he got free all the others were floating about in the water. They were talking to one another and about 10 minutes later he heard the pilot say that one was missing. He decided to try to swim for the shore, as he had no life-jacket, and was accompanied by Hill and another sergeant whom, he did not know. During the time he was in the water and at about 4.15, a plane came over and dropped a lifejacket . which the witness swam to. Later a plane dropped a rubber dinghy, but he was unable to reach it because of the wind and tide. He was later picked up in a dinghy. He had then been in the water about two hours. If it had been possible to have got the dinghy from the plane it could easily have supported all the crew, said the witness. There was sufficient time after the plane struck the water to launch the dinghy if it had been attempted immediately. He thought they were five miles out when the accident happened. As far as he knew none was hurt when the plane hit the water. . Squadron-Leader J. Bush explained the organization of the sea rescue service, which was put into operation immediately the accident was reported. Because of the state of the tide there appeared to be some difficulty in getting a launch out of the nearest coastal port. A launch from a greater distance was called out at 4.30 p.m. Lifejackets were issued to all aircrews with instructions that they must be carried when in the air. The aircraft dinghy, which was subject to regular inspection and testing, had proved capable of supporting 10 men.