The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-07-23
Probing The Air Crash

It is hard to censor any of the partiei- pants in the fatal air crash that occurred over Newngton Monday. Offhand we might say that Major William Ord Ryan, executive officer at Mitchell Field, was too willing to pin the responsibility upon Deputy Aviation Commissioner Jack Lenox. Until MT Lenox had himself given de- seription of the ship that he was flying at the time of the air fatality there was no pos tive knowledge as to the mystery ship, which is blamed for the crash That can be seen by consulting the testimony of the many eye witnesses. The ship was varlously described by each one of them.
 We wouldn't be bit surprised If the ship that Mir Lenox was flying was the only ei- vilian plane in the vicinity at the tune that the army squadron was winging north ward However. if there was another ship in the vicinity it is very likely that its 'den- tity will never be known if it isn't known now. No aviator will be willing to come forward now to become the goat in this unfortunate occurrence. Visibility was poor on Monday morning. It is of course pos sible that another civilian plane was in the neishborhood of the army squadron without the knowledge of Commissioner Lenox.
 However, even if that actually happened it might not be possible for the government to place the blame on this individual. Ae- cordng to all reports filed. when the civilian plane was sighted the flight commander ordered the planes 10 swoop down in order that they might pass under the lone ship Ordinarily planes approaching pass 10 the right of each other. Evidently visibility was so poor as to neeessItate the other maneuver. However as the army planes dved the other plane also executed the same maneuver. Then the squadron zoomed up and swung to the right. the last two ships entangling their wings and crash ing to the ground
 Deputy Commissioner Lenox states that he passed well under the army planes which were flying at an altitude of from 800 to 600 feet. He did not realize anything was wrong until he looked back and saw the two planes falling and two men dropping with parachutes. On the mere rectal of facts it almost looks as if the crash were unavoid- able and due as much to weather conditions as to the presence of the civilian plane. While army officers claim the lone plane came directly towards the squadron 1t eer- tainly seems ridiculous to think that any flyer let alone the deputy aviation eommis- soner, would do such foolhardy thing as th7t.
 The case is good one to try the nettle of Connectieuts youthful commissioner of aviation Charles L. Morris His appoint ment by Governor Cross did not meet with universal approval throughout the state nor did that of his deputy. Jack Lenox. Their flying ability and knowledge was appre- ciated, but too many people were quick to attach political significance to their ap- pointments. We shall learn in the next lew days whether or not the governor erred Tn bis choice We are inclined to think that he showed good judgment So far Com missioner Morris has given every indleation of probing to the bottom of the sad affair. even if it necessitates the resignation Of hls deputy. However. the state inquiry must be ampfied by that of the army board and also the department of commerce. We are rather anxious 10 see if they will make thelr findings public. Until they do we must content ourselves with withholding censure.