THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH,
Basalt Island Skymaster Crash Report Published
'NO PRE-CRASH
FAILURE'
"The cause of the accident was that the aircraft, while flying in very poor visibility and at a low altitude, collided with the high ground at Basalt Island" was the opinion expressed by Mr A. J. R. Moss, Inspector of Accidents, in his report on the accident to the Douglas Skymaster C54B-DC aircraft, which crashed on December 21 while en route from Shanghai to Hongkong. The mishap claimed 35 lives..
In his findings, Mr Moss states that no evidence of pre-crash failure could be established. in any part of the airframe or its engines.
In h's report on examination:
aceite, of the eye of the
of Accidents
The height of the Island at
the
Inspector
talen, in part:
its highest point
above ment
The burnt
the the nose struck the starboard Guiline of wreek indicated that the air- wing tip also hit, breaking off. aforesaid propellers ventoratively The two wis still wit
piece when I finally also hit and were torn out. in tar
to est, although severo dare y have the main sustated to The fuselage cute was 350 feet the that signs of the rhin two fork out of time with erash were observed. Thus eo- the main planen 21.rd of
is 520 feststructural
anel, bea set level after climbing to approximately stu
large indentation m
and
heen
||
The major portion of the air- craft thereupon continued over the top of the hill, became air-
fur borne FOR
short distance. Anally trashing back on to the Jowry rection' of the South Eant All englars were extensively slope where it Bually burnt out. The aircraft was considered to The North site of the ej. damaged and in two eases the Bening in mind the struth t lintier assembly in the re- have burst into flame on Initial ignet and when propelled over the Island this indentation mduction gear and casing
the top of the 13 the fall unit dated bal
In-petilary equipment, had emilerable
broke off and paet n taken place bud, on thrown down the East slope to struck the top.
tlown the slope further examination Da thin solat approximately 750 feet was dragged side and near the top of the from the main point of impact, with the main wreckoge.
FINDINGS Southern riope, revormt badly The Fountaing two engines were dargest eves of the nose of diseaveand under the main part (il From the evidence the aircraft were found. These of the wreck, ng, the port liner avadable il is considered that incturfel a section of the
un com** nos (No. 2) bad broken
the aircraft was airworthy up to wheel doors.
pletely and the startward! quier the time of the accident. About 40 feet towards the (No. 4) burat beyond recogal- (1) The sireraft had a valid ! airworthiness. Is-1 top of the hill, to the right of tion, Thear engines were tien- jeertineate of The initia!
China impact, asanaller an fed only by the fact that they sued by the
CIVE were considered to be in po- Aeronautics Administration. cientation was observed års on
Tota 323 feet of fun anlative to the 9
air.: Die Souther
(HI) the aircraft cncrled suf feirut fuel and oil for the in- tended light.
all licences held by the crew were valid.
the starboard (ghts wing th was foented. This win had come to rest m
hallow
frame.
ENGINES TORN OUT
OPINION
The two engines found my the lly approximately 100
lower slope could not be ident!- away from the line of iniparet fed but with the evidence avall. b. (e) no uvidence of pre-erash down the South slope. This able were coldered to be the failure could be established in secondary indentation incliented port auler (No. 1) and the star- any part of the airframe or its that the starboard wing hind¦ bourd inner (No, 3). These two, engines. chuck, broken off the lip and'i engines were considered to have under its own momentum had be torn bul and thrown down continued aver the bill.
the hill after the initial impact.
Further evidence that the nose Lower down on the East slope, to the left of the initial impact had burst
and a portion of the fuselage two badly
open on impact, was damaged propellers
when several seats were found. As identification apparent
discovered near where was difficult and, taking into consideration the final positions ise of the passengers'
were found. On examination,
were
bodies
of
of the other two propellers in suficient evidener was obtained relation to the main wreckage to indicate that seat belts had it Is impossible 10 sute de
w fastened ni the time Anitely from which engines. these first two propellers came, culliaion. By the process of elimination i badly damaged and in
engines.
the
been
All scats
must have struck
were very
Rom
and also
The cause of the accident was that the aircraft, whlist flying in very poor visibility and at a low altitude collided with the high ground at on Istond known ins Basalt 1sland within the Crown Colony of Hongkong.
DEFENCE OF HONGKONG
SIDE GLANCES
3-Z3
MONDAY, MAY 9, 1949.
By Galbraith
COPA 1940 BY NITA SERVICE, INC. T. M. RED, U. B. PAT OFF
"Oh, please don't make a fuss, mother-just walk in and say, 'Hmp! You here again?' It might scare him away If he thought we were crazy about hind!"
"Indifference
To Far
99
East Problems
CRITICISM EXPECTED
AT LABOUR PARTY'S
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
London, May 8-The 1949 British Labour Party's annual conference, to be held in Blackpool between June 6 and June 10, will debate a series of resolutions on Far Eastern developments.
One, from the Leck local Labour Party, "deprecates the apparent indifference of the Government to Far Eastern problems."
30%
Threat To ROXY
US Shipping
Rebuilding Of Merchant Fleets
Washington, May 8.The Nalionai Federation of Ameri- can Shipping said today that the post-war building up of Inerchant ferin by leading maritime tiations posed
serious competitive problem for the United States merchant marine,
The Federation published 11 survey of world fleets which said in part:
"Upon completion of ships now under construction, or out order, the world's merchant Neet
of -ocean-going
nh type of 1,000 gross tons and over will total almost 89,000,000 welgelt
dend- Lons excluding Statca Government- owned tonnnyfe.”
United
It estimated that at the de- dening at 1840
a total of nearly 12,000,000 dendweight tous of merchant shipping was on order or under construction in the world,
Of this amount, it said, Britaly was building more than half,
the Morslali Pian nations as
CAUSEWAY BAY
Tel. 28626
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May 17 29-135 pu trust landry
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grun about 70 percent and the 66OVE from a STRANGER”
United States only 12 pergent,
I said the U.S. passenger flect today was 51,0 percent less than pre-war, the British 27 percent less, the Marshall Plan untions' ngregate fleet 37 per- cent less and the overn! world passengers fleet 44 percent jess-United Press,
| SHANGHAL
EXECUTIONS
Shanghal, May 9-Two more robbers were executed by the Shanghai Garrison Command's Bring squad yesterday at the northern suburb of Klangwan while three accompllees were given prison sentences ranging from one year to 15 years.
Local security nuthorities will, today execute three more eulpriis, condemned on a charge of political sabolage.
The names of the condemned and the place of the executions were withheld from publication until after the exccution takes place. Reuter.
Radio Hongkong
J
and by the fnct that the two cases the straps had torn away
(Continued frum Page 1) englacs remaining with the from the anchorage
broken off where the friction wreck WOTE considered
One problem which stands | engines from No. 2 and No. 4grip connects engine mountings, thero Arsi Extensive damage to the un-out a mile, the newspaper con- tinued, and which has not ap two propellers are asanned to derside of the tail assembly r
is the solved, be those from Nos, 1 and 2 dicates that at some time this prently been
maintenance of internal order in the ground the event of an attack on Hong- The Eastbourne Labour Party
H.K.'T. One wants Labour to promise Examination of the blades orfandi bruken off and a small in-kor.
expresses its contem over the to end partition in its 1950 these propeilers Indicate that dentalion just above the point!
may well be
The existence of elements in Malayan situation and believes election programme. Two others they were under power when of Initial Impact they struck the hillside. The where this section of the alr the Colony capable of seriously that "the only hope of improve-reck a Government Inquiry into
lies possibly ment
in rising position of the bludes of all four craft struck and was torn off. interfering with and
the the present electoral system in of living of the Northern Ireland. Others call propele
Fould Ant as being dragged down the hill by impeding its defence. would ap-standard
for of the pear, un the face of things, to Malayan people."
a conference of representa- certained
as they
very the aircraft by means. were very
Ulves of the Republic of Ireland considerably mare badly damaged. considered control cables that were still, in require
ic
The Eastbourne Party nska and of Northern Ireland "to that Nos. 1 al 3 3 propellers hit the main, connected. Both tail strength than has been at pre-
the conference to assure had suffered Arst and broke af and rolleri | planes
severe sent disclosed.
the discuss and agree upon the best The
"that it has our and fairest mes for Government Internal condition of
ending Minor down the slope only caning structural damage.
problem support in their endeavours 10) partition". Reuter, in a position 50 feet to the Hongkong presenta to rest approximately 60 fent
Is by no from the point of impact.
West of the mal wreck, and which
means on all with feet from fours
that of aroun:i The initial Indentation was approximately 200
Christmas,
1041.
while the po- Local parttes approximately 10 feet down on the paint of Initial impact the
of was licy panel
granting pilot instrument
political the Northern slope and. 13
at foreign industrial competi- very few sections of the air catert, containing two engine asylum to all
and sundry-on-one calling for an early - {Continued-from-Page-1}~~-~ "flow very froper polley--may very craft were found on the North revolution counters, fuel
peace treaty with Japan to case slope. it is considered that the gauges, temperature gauges and well carry with it its own dis-
the situation.
State, James Bynes
and aircraft truck whilst climbing other engine instruments. advantages.
The final agenda for the con- George Marshall, at previous damaged ex- and continued on over the for
is something which were extensively
ference, issued here today, shows four power meetings, Indicator for has to be faced and if Hong that the main interest RPM cept the of the hilt.
Nos. 1 and 2 engines.
of the This kong is to be held according to
A source close to the Secre- British Government's an- indicator hnd struck t
Party membership still centres try was the authority 2,500 the
polley, particularly on come. announced iu'ention, it will have revolutions
per minute
FOUND 600 FT AWAY
Examination
AB
do so even if this may mean sacrifices on the part of our-
snow
concern
Bevin's Aim
for
of the malay substantiate the fact that to be by sutticieni external and on three topics: cost of living. United States policy on occu
wreckune subfantialed this rea- the aircraft
underful internal strength to make sure Was zoning, when the South slope power nich climbing when it that any attack, no matter by
whom. can be defeated and the pos- struck,
Another
instrument sal decisively at that."-Reuter,"
considered was
the
was examined tion of some of the passenger:
not affected by the subentent Valled which
helpful fire indicated that.
in
on impacy
determining the fire portion up to, ad position of the aircraft when it i extending beyond, the leaninellided with the hill was the Woman After edge of the man plane, hurt Dit compass italicatur. open and the
thir instrument the pointer had
thir
୮
and a number of the passengers such at 170 dex Flying Record
pilot, engineer
were thrown out through
that the crash may have the brenk, to the right of the accurred whilst the aircraft
430
in
Paris, May 3-The French
und
the
meat which might fall under the Cominunist influence if the occupation troops are
with- drawn.
4. Proceaume Summery; 6,01, "11** Swing Time: 030, Orchestra Selac- tiona: 7, lospital Request Half Hour | resented by Jean Austen. (Studio); 30, uuguese fait flour. (Studio) World News and News Analysis London Relay); B.15. Linda Cater Talks on Films. (Studio): 0.30, "I David Green, Sufalos; b, "From the What I Like" Prezented by Like
Editorials London Relay); B.10. Concerto"; Plants Concerto in A (Grieg)-Benno Moiselvitch, (Piano and the Italia Orchestra Anducted by Lesile toward: 9.10, A Play "Sentimental Journey"-Pre- sented by the llongkong Stag: Club, (Studio) 16.10, "Mule in Miniature”i A Programme of Continuous Music. (BBCTS): 10.10, Music for Dancing Alin Francaise"; 11, Radio News Beel (London Relay); 11,15, Weather Report: 11.10. Summary of News from China: 11.20, Close down.
Transmissions of the B.B.C. Overs a:an Services which may be heard here in Hongkong this evening are:
G.M.T.
10. The debate continues: 10.15)— Nancy Wein_ 10.30.—Muste while you work; 11.—The newn: 11.10.- Nows Artyk
11.15-c Northern Varisy Orchestra: 11.45-Generally speaking; 12-From the editorials: 12.10.-Programme Announcements: 12.35-Dance music; 13,-ilome news From Briain; 12.15.- Bands within bands 13.30-Women's programme 14-Radio newwrcel; 14.15 --Ulster Alentine:
Midland Orchestra:
And Empire: 10.-News Aunty 10.13.-Orchestra music of
Light
15.19.-B. Common - -
OUTWARD MAILS
He suid pation troops, the need for more houses,
United States is approaching fulure nationalisation proposals. the four power talks with ex-
Domestic and Internationali
lie added treme caution.
that problems are sometimes linked wine the lifting of the Ber-
the
resolutions to coms before blockade "won us a battle the conference,
ព in the sug-the main idea is to avoid losing gestion of one local
that one local party at the campaign." The cost of defence is respons-
is to keep wealth ible for the Government's innbi- Russin trom winning strates the twentieth century: 1630.-London
The "campaign" lity to reduce the cost of living control of all Germany throu,h forum: 17-Clame down.
Among a number of resold the establishment of a govern | tions call ug for Socialist action in the colonial territories is one was on a Southerly heatha. woman liver, Madaine Andres from the Chelsea Party seeking craft as it we procending down the South slope. The further-
Ta pilot's clock also indicated pyron, today took off from the appointment of Socialists in Marsan. South-west key positions in the colonies and most massenger was treated ap-4hat the time of the collision Mont de
Frane in wa 05572 hours.
ani attempt proximately duo feet from the
10 one from Richmond expressing These were
il long
distance alarm at "gross racial the caly instruments discover. Establish main wreck.
The man portion of the air-be taken. All controls
ed from which evidence might straight #ying record.
crimination"
in Southwestoffer Russia a strong Flying alone craft
a specially Africa. Joented
against German remilitarisation camletely
Neither bural burnt
equipped Morane-572
The Richmond resolution asks us a lest of Moscow's sincerity plane.; cut on the South East damaged to consider then ure carrying fuel for slope of the Iskud, about 450ful for evidence.
40 hours, the Dritish Government "o in reaching
an agreement on Madome Dupeyron. fect from the point of initiat
headed, bring pressure to bear" on South Germany. Under his plan the directly for Karachi, Pakistan Africa to submit a Impact. The consisted
Trusteeship pleuge would extend for 40 She told friends who saw her agreement for the territory. inal portion of tire fuselage and
The conclusions drawn from take-off that she hoped to
years, thus reassuring the Rus- the complete
Several loend Labour parties stans against the rebirth of the plane. examination of the wreckage teamulete main Examination indicated that the Kether with the evidence submit-unter 28 hours-Reuter.
German military night. colimparxi
nose rection haded by other pilots and the Duty
Wis
of
the
lug
CONCLUSIONS
were batily
doubled up underneath the main Controllers of the day, are that,
pinner and fuscle.
the pilot let down over a pos the tion to the East of flungkong
was
Fire had broken out on nitial impact, ext
extensive burns his own accord, when he thought of the South and East slopes that he
in fact
fact over liong Indicated that the starboard kong. This let down was nic fuel tanks had burst and that the visually through a hole the port fuel tanks, although not overcast and, together with bad burning so extensively, were In visibility and
Senator Vandenberg Is re-
Kingdom prepared to propose portedly d's-ihat Mr Acheson and Dr Jessup
G.P.0.—Parcela, May pledge
the fight in just have tabled resolutions on Ire-test Press,
Western Spies,'
""
land.
Journalists "All
Says Russian
corres- Strong.
A surface mail ta United vla parts per KMK will be closed as
12, 5
Carthage Jollows:
p. Registered, May 13, Ordinary. 9.30 am.
Kowloon C.P,0.—Parcels, May 12, 5 p. Registered, May 13, 8.30 a.m.; Ordinary, U a.m17.
This mail is expected in Aritve
at London on or about Juna 13. Unless otherwise sinted, re- gistered articles and Parcel posts close 30 minutes earlier than the ordinary mall. If Headla close: before fa'am, rechtered and parcel posts close at 5 p.m. on the previous day, Balls are closed at howloon Central Post Omen half an hour earlier than the 0.1.0. closing times.
MONDAY, MAY 9 Closing Times By Air
Swatow, Amoy, Talpen, Taingtao, Kunming-and Educhow, 3,30 p.m.
Shanghai, 5' p.ni..
Closing Times Dy Sea
Salgon, 3 p.nl,
Shanghal 2 p.m.
Mania. 3 p.in.
Bwalow, 4 p.m.
TUESDAY, MAY 10
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Police Shoot
Bandit Leader
Countess Dies
In Fire
low eloud-of flames. Indications were also ap-wh'ch, it is considered, the plot
Moscow, May 8-David Zaslavsky, a Soviet journalist and polic parent that, after hitial impact, was fully aware-necessitated the
nireraft become airborne for the aircraft flying very low in
tical analyst, today accused Anglo-American newspapermen--especi- a short distance unt
ally foreign correspondents-of being trained intelligence agents, t'l extensive such weather conditions, skid marks showed that it had Falling to recognise the nor.
spies, diversionists and devoted servants of capitalism. struck the ground 130 feet from mal landmarks associated with the first point of impact.
the South entrance to Hong-
Writing in the weekly illus-1 vicious misinformation, which at White, American No large
indentations were kong Airport, the pilot there trated magazine Ognok, Zaslav- is only part of their work, they pondent; Anna Louise observed where fliese marks upon set course that would en sky linked the recent United | perform inore important tasks, American writer recently were observed and it is there-able him to climb up to his Sintes
appro- such as cerving as liaison be-pelled from the Soviet Union for Congressional fore estimated that the pig safety, helight, Basalt Island printions for Intelligence opera- tween Embassies and reactionary notert Magidon, American cor- craft was no more than 20 to loomed up in front of the air- tions
activities; with the demand! of conspirators." 30 feet above the ground for
for craft, the pilot attempted to American editors for freedom of Zaslavsky said that from the respondent also expelled after the period between the point of climb to clear this obstruction information.
very beginning of the revolution being treurs of first impact until it struck for and at the same time the pilot
being a sp
spy. He added: "Freedom of the the Soviet Union knew there the second time. After finish-turned in a shore bank to the press in tan amount to freedom were much correspondents, who front the best-selling Russian butt and U.S.A., (Kowloon C.P.0.1
Zaslavsky quoted extensively Canada,&p.m.
Air Parcel Ports for Manila. Hono Ing up in the position Indleated left.
American of espionago and freedom to come from the
new novel by American-bo.m resultant
A-130 p.m.: (G.P.Ú.) 8 p. destroyed The nose of the aircraft how 'organise anti-government cou-papers and press associations.nabella Bucar, who
Ordinary
Sal(Printed completely
rerently. the remainder of ever struck the Northern slope spiracles in Eastern Eurave,"
He said:
"The coinbination of gave up her US citizenalio to Matters. Samples and Umall Packet the aircraft, it was established of the Island whilst in this that the main wheels were in position.
As examples, he cited the re- Journalist and spy then, as now, stay in the Soviet Union. Her for Babe Guam Honela This collapsed and cent conspiracy trials In was
and USA. (Kowloon c.Þ.o.j common přienomenon Kald the book “unfalda a picture pin (d.P.0.). 5 p.m. the up position and were not burst the nose and a portion of Hungary, Rumania. Bulgaria characterising enpilailst Journel-American Journalista being Dangkok, B. p.m. ellatorted in any way, proving the fuselage and flung the and Czechoslovalda, "in which | allem,"
|trallied to go to the Sovit linie
* Closing Times By Bea that the force of impact just crew and some passengers out Anglo-American Journalfate. He listed" or "well known under the auspices
Swalow, D., Swalow, Amoy “and Foochow, prior to the siteraft coming to through the top or side of the figured with amelal diplomats", roles William Bullit, former States Inteiligence rest, was not.great.: **
p.m. fuselage. At the same time as ""In_addllion, "tó-- supplying" US Ambassador to Russia; WI)- United Press,
Shanghal,
Closing Times Dy Air
Singapore, May f).-One Chippenham, Wiltshire, May Communist bandit leader, iden- Countess Clare, 70-year-old Rangoon, Calcutta, Carachi, Baar, tied us. Tan Kom-peng *x-
Mauritius, Johannesburg, and Cairu Nairobi. Mombasa, Dar-es-Salaam shot dead by police in ambush les, perished in a fire at her was widow of the th rd Earl of Cow- via Karachi) Alexandria, tome and in Komneng Sopinong in the home. Sedgrey House, here carly (G.P.0.1 8 pm.
Singapore, & pan.
was killed while he
Six other people in the man- 'he police.
London (Kowloon CP.O.)-150 p.m.: Johore State on Saturday. The today. alleged
nie
29
of United 1 organs.
Au
bandit
Another notorious
•
Manila, Honolulu,' VB.A., and threw out a revolver to firo Atton: were rescued from the roof after the fire brigade and bandit villagers had arrived to fight the lender, named Lok Kok-wah, blaze, was shot dead by the police in Sunge! Mebaru in a Tapah dils The present fourili Earl. aide. trict In Perak State on Satur-cendant of the Duke of Welling- Iton. lives in the United Staten at Wellesley Ranch, Carson City, Į Nevada.
The third Earl died in 1910-
p.m.
: day.
2
One woman bandit was also killed in the
engagement- Associated Press.
Reuter.
Page 5Page 6