§ 73. Mr. M. Lindsayasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty in what circumstances it recently occurred that two Fleet Air Arm pilots on the same day had to make forced landings in the Mediterranean through their petrol running out.
Mr. DugdaleOne aircraft had a complete engine failure and the pilot had to bring it down into the sea. The aircraft sank and it is unlikely that the cause of the engine defect will be established. In the other aircraft, the subsidiary fuel system failed and the pilot, having only a small margin of fuel available for return to base, made a precautionary landing. The cause of the fuel system failure is being investigated.