Skyhawk Incident’ alleged

Press, 5 August 1983, Page 4

Skyhawk Incident’ alleged

Parliamentary reporter

A “disturbing incident involving the U.S.S. Texas and a New Zealand Skyhawk apparently occurred on August 1, the Labour member of Parliament for Papanui, Mr M. K. Moore alleges. _

Mr Moore has written an open letter to the Prime Minister, Mr Muldoon, asking him to clear the matter up publicly. The mishap, which was thought to involve the aircraft touching a part of the ship, occurred during an exercise called Sandblast at or about 9.57 a.m., Mr Moore said. He could not reveal his informant. “I know him to be an honest person, but to name him would be a breach of security,” Mr Moore said. “He contacted me after he had sat on it for two or three days, not knowing what to do. He is an inside

source.” Mr Moore asked Mr Muldoon if he would be prepared to order the release of voice tapes from Auckland Air Traffic Control, written records of the military exercise, and the frequency tape. The precedent for release of tapes occurred in Easter this year after an aircraft mishap near Taupo. The mishap between the Skyhawk and the U.S.S. Texas was “a very serious matter and of great public interest and concern,” Mr Moore said.

“The implications of an aircraft in collision with a nuclear-powered and nuclear-armed warship are just too horrendous to consider.”

“I hope that the information I have received is not correct, but I am making this letter public as I believe I have a responsibility to raise the matter with you.”