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Wed 29 Jan 1941 - The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954)
Page 3 - FAULT OF CREW IN 8 CRASHES
FAULT OF
CREW IN
8 CRASHES
MELBOURNE, Wednesday.
Of the last nine air
accidents investigated, it
had been established beyond
question, that in eight cases
personal misjudgment on the
part of the air crew had been
the cause, the Minister for
the Air (Mr. McEwen) said
to-day.
The circumstances of the remaining
accident had rendered it impossible
to reach any specific conclusion about
the cause, he added.
Mr.-- McEwen was commenting on
the crash at Glenbrook (N.S.W.) yes
terday, when Ave R.A.A.F. men were
killed.
Investigation of the tragedy had
already started, and there would be
two independent inquiries, he said.
A service court of inquiry was
held promtply after every . air acci
dent. whether there were casualties or
not, and a separate inquiry was being
made by the Inspector of Air Acci
dents (Group-Captain Murphy), who
would report direct to the Chief of
the Air Staff (Air Chief Marshal Sir
Charles Burnett)
Mr. McEwen said that he did not
consider that any useful purpose
would be achieved by making public
the technical reports of the inspector
of Air Accidents, but he promised that,
if any report disclosed the necessity
of action in respect of design, main
tenance or training of personnel, not
one moment would be lost.
Frequent Inspections
"I make it mv business to study
every report of air accidents," he said.
"I am satisfied that there is a very
thorough investigation and a candid
report.
"The closest attention is given to
inquiring whether any avoidable cir
cumstances exists in an accident."
Where the slightest doubt existed
that any structural defect could have
contributed to an accident, a most
minute examination of the remains
of the machines was made.
The Inspector of Air Accidents nad
flown immediately to the scene of
yesterday's accident and his report,
would probably be available within
24 or at the latest 48 hours, Mr.
McEwen said.
"The public may be assured that in
no circumstances will it be accepted
by me or by the R.A.A.F. that acci
dents are inevitable.
"While it must be realised that tne
chances of misjudgment on "the part
of a pilot will probably always re
main as a possible cause of accidents,
an unceasing endeavor will be made
in the -course of training to safe
guard to the maximum degree against
this contingency."
Mr. McEwen added that regular,
frequent and meat stringent main
tenance examinations of aircraft
and engines were maintained.