Hubert Oxley
Hubert Oxley (c1886-1911). Early Aviator
1911 Mr Hubert Oxley and a passenger, Mr Robert Weiss, killed at Filey, December 6, 1911. A pupil at the school named Weiss was flying with Oxley in the Mercury 111 on December 6th when immediately prior to landing Oxley lost height in a steep dive (a practice he frequently indulged). Unfortunately on this occasion fabric started to strip off the wings, which then collapsed leaving the fuselage and occupants to crash onto the sands – with fatal results. The remains of Oxley and Weiss were taken into an outbuilding of the ’Three Tuns Hotel’ at Filey pending an inquest and local police impounded any ‘souvenirs’. An inquiry established that the dive had been ‘steeper than normal’ – estimated speed 150mph. Fabric had torn away causing over-stressing, hence breaking-off of the wings.
1911 December. As soon as the weather is suitable, flying will be resumed at Filey, where Mr. Brereton has arrived to take the place of the late Mr. Hubert Oxley as instructor at the Blackburn school.