30 SEPTEMBER 1938, Page 3

The death this week of a fourth member of the

Callaghan family has brought the total number of deaths as a result of the aeroplane disaster at Edmonton on• September 4th up to 13. The Air Ministry have issued their report on the accident, and it is stated that, contrary to instructions which forbid pupils to proceed more than three miles from the aerodrome without special permission, the pilot of the machine that wrought the devastation flew direct to Edmonton from the Hatfield aerodrome, a distance of about 13 miles, and there carried out manoeuvres at a height which was also contrary to regulations. As a result " it is considered that the primary cause of the accident was wilful disobedience to orders on the part of the pilot." In the circumstances the report rightly emphasises the fact that stringent regulations exist designed to reduce to a minimum the risk of accidents involving the civil population arising out of flying by pilots in the course of training. The report recapitulates the regulations which certainly seem adequate to reassure the public that they are not in danger if the regulations are observed—as indeed they generally are. Their breath may often result in the pilot's death. Where it does not, the severest punishment for breach of this particular regulation is obviously requisite.