Brooklyn Eagle/1932/Static Electricity Caused Plane Fire

Static Electricity Caused Plane Fire

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Created by Pumping Up Landing Gear of Seaplane, Is Belief. Ten Companies Work on Insurance Adjustment.

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Static electricity created of the Sikorsky amphibian Pegasus, owned by John Hay Whitney probable cause of the $250,000 seven planes and the Whitney hanger at Roosevelt Field. The theory that the electricity ignited gasoline fumes that had collected in the hull of the air yacht overnight was accepted by insurance company representatives following their investigation of the blaze and consultation with field officials and the two mechanics present in the hangar when the fire started. Pumping Explained. The process of pumping up the landing gear, it was explained by Walter L. Avery, operations manager of the field, is similar to increasing the hydraulic pressure of four-wheel brakes, of automobiles from time to time. A pump similar to the old-fashioned pump was used to increase the hydraulic pressure in the landing gear to bring it up to a certain tension to take up the shock of landing. It was in this work that Carl Schneider, the Whitney mechanic, was engaged when a sheet of flame shot out from the hull of the plane, setting his clothes on fire and burning him about the face and hands. While the investigation by the insurance companies involved in the blaze was expected to be continued for several days longer to gather all the details surrounding it, adjustment of claims would be made as promptly as possible, it was said. About 10 companies are affected. Their interests have been turned over to the firm of Windle, Dargan & Co., Inc., general insurance adjusters, 110 William St., Manhattan, which company will handle the settlement the claims. The hangar was insured by Dunn & Fowler, Inc., 111 John Street, Manhattan. The names of the other companies are not known. The hangar loss is estimated by the adjusters as between $61,000 and $90,000, at the present time, but the exact figure will not be known until later. $150,000 Insurance. Exact figures on the plane insurance total are now being ascertained by the adjusters, although the unofficial amount is believed to be approximately $150,000. Whether or not new regulations will be recommended affecting the storage of planes in hangars as a result of the fire will depend upon the result of the investigation being made by the insurance adjusters, it was said. Such a step would be up to the individual companies, Charles L. Alexander, fire adjuster for Windle Dargan & Co., declared. "We sometimes make recommendations after our investigation," he said, "but we haven't the slightest idea of any new rules at present."