§ 9. Commander Bowerasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will make a statement with regard to the two fatal crashes of Atlantic aircraft, resulting in the loss of 44 lives?
§ Sir A. SinclairThe accidents referred to have been fully investigated. The inquiry into the first was carried out by a senior member of the staff of the Chief Inspector of Accidents. When the second occurred, my right hon. and gallant Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State went immediately to the scene, accompanied by the Chief Inspector, who carried out the inquiry himself. I have now received the reports.
The first accident is attributed to an error in navigation. This resulted in the aircraft striking a mountain in conditions of bad visibility which were not, however, such as to have justified the cancellation of the flight. The mountain is many miles from the track which the aircraft should have followed. From the evidence available, it is impossible to explain how the error occurred. The navigational instruments had been fully and satisfactorily tested and the aircraft properly inspected before the flight took place.
As regards the second accident, the finding of the Chief Inspector is that it was due to errors of judgment on the part of the Captain, first in taking off along the wrong runway, presumably through an oversight as it was not the one which he had declared his intention of using; secondly, in allowing the aircraft to swing to port, with the result that it left the runway and took to the grass; and, thirdly, in not shutting off his engines immediately this occurred.
164 The House will wish to know that in neither case was there any evidence of negligence on the part of the authorities or of sabotage or mechanical defects. The organisation of this service is under constant review and every step which is immediately practicable is taken, and will continue to be taken, to improve it in the light of operational experience.
The further accident which has unhappily occurred to an aircraft on a flight to this country is now being investigated. I will make a statement with regard to it as soon as possible after the report has been received.
The House will, I am sure, wish to join with me in extending heartfelt sympathy to the relatives of those who have lost their lives in these tragic occurrences.
§ Mr. MaxtonDid all these accidents take place in connection with the same aerodrome?
§ Sir A. SinclairYes, Sir. One accident took place on the aerodrome and the other some miles from it.
§ Mr. MaxtonIs the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the situation of the aerodrome and its general atmospheric conditions make it the best place that can be found for such important flights?
§ Sir A. SinclairThat is exactly one of the things which occurred to my mind when I heard of these accidents, but I am advised that the aerodrome and the aerodrome adjoining it are two of the best in the country, in respect of the absence of fog on most days.
§ Sir John Wardlaw-MilneWas it possible, by examining the aeroplane which struck the mountain, to ascertain whether the navigational instruments were in order?
§ Sir A. SinclairThe instruments were checked on the morning of the flight.
§ Mr. ShinwellWhat time elapses between the checking of instruments and flights from the aerodrome?
§ Sir A. SinclairIf my hon. Friend wishes to have details, perhaps he will be good enough to put down a Question. In regard to these particular accidents, the instruments were checked on the morning of the day on which the flight took place.
§ Mr. ShinwellHow long afterwards did the flight take place?
§ Sir A. SinclairThe instruments were checked on the particular morning, and the flight took place that evening.
§ Mr. KirkwoodIs there any truth in the rumour that is abroad around that aerodrome that aeroplanes coining from America have to circle for perhaps 35 minutes before they are sure of a landing?
§ Sir A. SinclairThat must depend upon circumstances. Sometimes, when clouds are low, aeroplanes will have to circle while they get into a position to land, but there is no particular reason why they should have to do so at this aerodrome— in fact, rather less in the case of this aerodrome than in the case of others.
§ Mr. LipsonHow many accidents have taken place there?
§ Sir A. SinclairI must have notice of that Question.