Aircraftman Robert Charles Thomas Humphreys 637242 19/03/1940

[paulmcmillan]

Old Query resolved


http://www.rafcommands.com/archive/17144.php


Friday 22 March 1940 , Dundee Courier , Angus, Scotland

EMPTY SEAT SHOCK FOR PILOT
AIR BUMP HAD THROWN OUT PASSENCER
Turning to speak to his radio operator after landing, an R.A.F. pilot was astonished
to find the second cockpit empty. The operator had fallen to his death. The story was told
at an inquest at Upton upon Seven yesterday on Aircraftman Robert Charles Thomas Humphreys 637242 (25).
Camberwell, London. Flying Officer James Allen Richardson, the pilot, said Humphreys
should have been strapped in, and, in fact, he told witness he was strapped in.
Eighteen hundred feet up thev experienced severe down current, which caused
the machine to drop. He assumed Humphreys found the parachute the parachute harness
uncomfortable, undid it to adjust it about the time of the bump, and was thrown out.
Death by misadventure was the verdict

[paulmcmillan]

Aircraft was Swordfish I K8426 of Torpedo Training Unit

source Ross (thanks)

[Alex Smart]

Just to make aware, "Fleet Air Arm Aircraft 1939-1945" has on page 73
K8426
W/Op AC2 Harrison thrown out & killed.
I assume that this was some kind of original error that will be corrected in the new edition.