The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-04-13

London. April 13-(By the A. P-O-Sir Ross Smith, the Aus tralian aviator who with his brother Sir Keith had planned to start from Croydon on April 9 for an attempted flight around the world, was killed when his plane crashed in a practice flight at Brooklands today Lieutenant Bennett an engineer who was planning to accompany Sir Ross and his brother on their around the world flight also was killed.
 The machine which crashed was the one the Smiths intended to use in Eicwkers company, had previously flown it for a half hour. then handing it over to Captain Smith.
 As the machine was approaching and the fatal crash followed.
 Prominent Air Men,
 Captain Sir Ross Smith sprang into prominence in 1919 when, acconpan- jed by his brother, Sir Keith, he made the flight from England to Australia, II 500 miles. winning a prize of 1O,- 900 pounds from the Australian gov ernment as the first aviator to ac- the Englane-Austran na flight. Both aviators were knighted for their feat.
 Capt. Smith saw distinguished ser vice in the European war first with the Australian Light Horse in Egypt and Gal1ipoi and later as an aviator with the Australian Flying Corps, in Egypt and Palestine. He was one of cember, 1918, made the first flight from Cairo to Calcutta.
 Sir Ross and Sir Keith Smith had just completed plans for their at which they expected to start from Croydon, near London. April 25. The route mapped out was by way of France, Egypt, Asia Minor. India. jumping to North America at Boring Straits with landings oIi some of the Aletuian Islands and at Ounalaska, in Alaska, thence across Canada to the Soo, swinging there to the southeast to New York and continuing along the New England coast to New Foundland for the jump across the Atlantic to Ireland.
 3 Months Journey
 The aviators expected to cover the 21,500 miles in 240 hours of actual flying spread over period of three months. Their machine was of the hydro -airp1ane type fitted with wheels for alighting on land and propelled by an engine of 450 horsepower.
 The accident occurred fifteen min I1teS alter captain Snl1Jn ana LleIuI9n- ant Bennett began their flight. Sir Keith Smith had intended to make the trial flight with them, but he ar- rived at the airdrome too late and was among the crowd that witnessed the tragedy
 The machine had climbed grace fully to a height of more than three thousand feet when suddenly her nose dipped and she went into q, spin. The spectators thought at first that the airmen were attempting stunt" for the purpose of testing the wings of the machine. but it soon became apparent that the plane was out of control.
 Plane SpIintered.
 It started downward in slow spin, which became faster and faster until the machine hit the earth with such a terrific impact that the plane was practically splintered.
 Sir Rose was killed instantly and Lieutenant Bennett died few min utes after the crash.
 Captain Smith yesterday entertain ed at the Vickers works in Wey- bridge a large party of friends who came to wish him luck on his aS- tempted world flight. He had coEa~ pleted all of his arrangements, and he talked to his visitors with modest confidence in his chances of success