1917 RFC Safety Report
The following safety tips from the Daedalian Foundation are excerpts from a Royal Flying Corps
monthly safety report. The report was signed C. St. John-Culbertson, Royal Flying Corps,
Colonel, and was dated 21 December 1917.


INTRODUCTION
Another good month. In all, a total of 35 accidents were reported, only six of which were
avoidable. These represented a marked improvement over the month of November during which
84 accidents occurred, of which 23 were avoidable. This improvement, no doubt, is the
result of experienced pilots with over 100 hours in the air forming the backbone of all the
units.

RESUME OF ACCIDENTS

Avoidable accidents
1. There were six avoidable accidents this last month:

a. The pilot of a Shorthorn, with over 7 hours of experience, seriously damaged the
undercarriage on landing. He had failed to land at as fast a speed as possible as recommended
in the Aviation Pocket Handbook.

b. A B.E. 2 stalled and crashed during an artillery exercise. The pilot had been struck on
the head by the semaphore of his observer who was signaling to the gunners.

c. Another pilot in a B.E. 2 failed to get airborne. By an error of judgement, he was
attempting to fly at mid-day instead of at the recommended best lift periods, which are just
after dawn and just before sunset.

d. A Longhorn pilot lost control and crashed in a bog near Chipping-Sedbury. An error of
skill on the part of the pilot in not being able to control a machine with a wide speed band
of 10 MPH between top speed and stalling speed.

e. While low flying in a Shorthorn the pilot crashed into the top deck of a horse drawn bus near Stonehenge.

f. A B.E. 2 pilot was seen to be attempting a banked turn at a constant height before he crashed. A grave
error by an experienced pilot.

Unavoidable accidents
2. There were 29 unavoidable accidents from which the following are selected:

a. The top wing of a Camel fell off due to fatigue failure of the flying wires. A successful emergency landing
was carried out.

b. Sixteen B.E. 2 s and 9 Shorthorns had complete engine failures. A marked improvement over
November's figure.

c. Pigeons destroyed a Camel and 2 Longhorns after mid-air strikes.

COST OF ACCIDENTS:
Accidents during the last three months of 1917 cost 317 pounds, 10 shillings
sixpence, money down the drain and sufficient to buy new gaiters and spurs for each and every pilot
observer in the Service.


ACCIDENT BRIEFS

No. 1 Brief
No. 912 Squadron
3 December 1917
Aircraft type B.E. 2C No. XY 678,
Total solo - - 4.20
Pilot Lt. J. Smyth-Worthington,
Solo in type - - 1.10

The pilot of this flying machine attempted to maintain his altitude in a turn at 2,500 feet. This resulted in the
aeroplane entering an unprecedented maneuver, entailing a considerable loss of height. Even with full
power applied and the control column fully back, the pilot was unable to regain control. However, upon
climbing from the cockpit onto the lower mainplane, the pilot managed to correct the machines altitude,
and by skillful manipulation of the flying wires successfully side-slipped into a nearby meadow.

Remarks: Although, through inexperience, this pilot allowed his aeroplane to enter an unusual attitude,
his resourcefulness in eventually landing without damage has earned him a unit citation.
R.F.C. Lundsford-Magnus is investigating the strange behaviour of this aircraft.

No. 2 Brief
No. 847 Squadron
19 December 1917
Aircraft type Spotter Balloon J17983,
Total solo 107.00
Pilot Capt. * * * ,
Solo in type 32.10

Captain * * * of the Hussars, a balloon observer, unfortunately allowed the spike of his full-dress helmet
to impinge against the envelope of his balloon. There was a violent explosion and the balloon carried out
a series of fantastic and uncontrollable maneuvers, while rapidly emptying itself of gas. The pilot was thrown
clear and escaped injury as he was lucky enough to land on his head.

Remarks: This pilot was flying in full-dress uniform because he was the Officer of the Day. In consequence
it has been recommended that pilots will not fly during periods of duty as Officer of the Day. Captain * * *
has requested an exchange posting to the Patroville Alps, a well known mule unit of the Basques.

No. 3 Brief
Summary of No.43
Brief dated October 1917

Major W. de Kitkag-Watney's Nieuport Scout was extensively damaged when it failed to become airborne.
The original Court of Inquiry found that the primary cause of the accident was carelessness and poor
airmanship on the part of a very experienced pilot. The Commandant General, however, not being wholly
convinced that Major de Kitkag-Watney could be guilty of so culpable a mistake ordered that the Court
should be re-convened. After extensive inquiries and lengthy discussions with the Meteorological Officer
and Astronomer Royal, the Court came to the conclusion that the pilot unfortunately was authorized to fly
his aircraft on a day when there was absolutely no lift in the air and could not be held responsible for the
accident.

The Court wishes to take this opportunity to extend its congratulations to Major de Kitkag-Watney on his
reprieve and also on his engagement to the Commandant General's daughter, which was announced
shortly before the accident.

FLYING SAFETY TIPS.

Horizontal turns. To take a turn the pilot should always remember to sit upright, otherwise he will increase
the banking of the aeroplane. He should NEVER lean over.

Crash precautions. Every pilot should understand the serious consequences of trying to turn with the engine
off. It is much safer to crash into a house when going forward than to sideslip or stall a machine with engine
troubles. Passengers should always use safety belts, as the pilot may start stunting without warning. Never
release the belt while in the air, or when nosed down to land.

Engine noises. Upon the detection of a knock, grind, rattle or squeak, the engine should be at once stopped.
Knocking or grinding accompanied by a squeak indicates binding and a lack of lubricant.


category: aviation  date entered: 2006-02-07