HC Deb 04 August 1926 vol 198 cc3000-1W
Colonel DAY

asked the Secretary of State for Air the result of the inquiry into the disaster to the biplane troop carrier at Baghdad on the 26th July last, which resulted in the death of seven airmen?

Sir S. HOARE

I am afraid that the result of the inquiry into this most regrettable accident will not be known for some time.

Colonel ENGLAND

asked the Secretary of State for Air the total number of fatalities to members of the Royal Air Force since 1st January, 1926, indicating the countries in which these fatalities have occurred and the causes, so far as they are known, of the different accidents?

Sir S. HOARE

On the assumption that the hon. and gallant Member requires particulars of fatalities in accidents of all kinds, they are as follow, for the period 1st January to 27th July, 1926:

(a) Deaths due to flying accidents 44
Deaths due to other accidents 14
Total 58

(b) The number of flying accidents was 25 and their causes and the countries in which they occurred were as follows:—
Home. India. Iraq. Egypt and Palestine. Mediterranean.
(1) Error of judgment 8 3 2 4 2
(2) Weather 1 1
(3) Aircraft defect 1
(4)Cause not yet known or indeterminable. 1 1 1

(c) Particulars as to the 14 non-flying accidents are as follows:—
Home. India. Iraq. Egypt and Palestine. Mediterranean.
(1) Struck by air screw 1
(2) Bomb accident 1
(3) Motor car and cycle accidents 12