HC Deb 15 July 1959 vol 609 cc27-8W
67 and 68. Mr. J. Eden

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, (1) why, during the last six minutes of the flight, Air Traffic Control at London Airport or Blackbushe did not inform the pilot of the Viking aircraft, which crashed at Southall on 2nd September, 1958, that he was dangerously off his course, considering that the aircraft was known to be in difficulties and losing height and that the pilot's radio reports of his position differed widely from that shown on the radar screen at London Airport;

(2) why a message was passed by Ground Control at Blackbushe to the pilot of the Viking aircraft, which crashed at Southall on 2nd September, 1958, to the effect that his assumed position was one mile south of London Airport, headed west, when the aircraft had already crashed four miles north-east of London Airport, headed east, nearly two minutes previously.

Mr. Watkinson

Both the points raised by the hon. Member were considered by the public inquiry. Mr. Justice Phillimore stated in his report that he was entirely satisfied that the Air Traffic Control Officers not only did their duty but in fact did far more than they were strictly required to do and no possible criticism attached to them.