§ Mr. I. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the causes of the crash which resulted in the death of General Sikorski and two hon. Members of this House?
§ Captain BalfourThe findings of the Court of Inquiry and the observations of the officers whose duty it is to review and comment on them reveal that this most regrettable accident was due to jamming of the elevator controls shortly after take-off, with the result that the aircraft became uncontrollable. After careful examination of all the available evidence, including that of the pilot, it has not been possible to determine how the jamming occurred, but it has been established that there was no sabotage. It is also clear that the captain of the aircraft, who is a pilot of great experience and exceptional ability, was in no way to blame. An officer of the Polish Air Force attended throughout the proceedings.