HC Deb 19 November 1926 vol 199 cc2109-10W
Colonel DAY

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he is yet in a position to state the result of the inquiry into the disaster to the biplane troop-carrier at Bagdad on the 86th July last, which resulted in the death of seven airmen?

Sir S. HOARE

Inquiry has shown that the cause of the accident was the breaking of the starboard engine crankshaft just after the aeroplane had taken off, and was at a height of 100 feet above the aerodrome. The reason why the pilot did not throttle back the port engine, which would have enabled the aeroplane to glide straight on, was apparently that he hoped to be able to reach some open ground on the right, and to avoid obstructions immediately in his front.