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Joy-ride... in a Skyhawk

NZPA-AP El Toro, California A United States Marine Corps corporal could face the death penalty if he is tried and convicted of taking a Skyhawk fighterbomber on an unauthorised joy-ride, military authorities say. The Marine Corps is conducting a hearing to determine whether to court-martial Corporal Howard Foote, aged 21, an aircraft mechanic.

Corporal Foote is accused of taking the jet from the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station on a 30minute flight on July 4. Corporal Foote, a glider-pilot in civilian life, reportedly had read manuals and “flown” a Skyhawk simulator to become familiar with the aircraft.

He is being held in jail

at Camp Pendleton on charges of wrongful appropriation of a Government aircraft and hazarding a vessel. The latter charge stems from a maritime law enacted before the American Revolution and carries the death penalty. Corporal Foote is accused of making five passes around the El Toro Marine base before landing in front of waiting military police. The Skyhawk is used for ground-attack missions by Marines and aerobatic shows by the “Blue Angels” precision flying team.

Friends said Corporal Foote had been upset after learning that his susceptibility to altitude sickness would keep him from becoming a Marines pilot trainee. ‘ »

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19860901.2.91.11

Bibliographic details

Press, 1 September 1986, Page 10

Word Count
207

Joy-ride... in a Skyhawk Press, 1 September 1986, Page 10

Joy-ride... in a Skyhawk Press, 1 September 1986, Page 10