DEATH OF AIRMAN

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 113, 6 February 1941, Page 9

DEATH OF AIRMAN

Struck By Landing’ Plane

COURT-MARTIAL HEARING (By Telegraph—Press Association.) NEW PLYMOUTH, February 5.‘ A court-martial sat at the Royal New Zealand Air Force Elementary Flying Training School at Bell Block today to inquire into the circumstances of the accident on December 6, 1940, in which Leading Aircraftman M. S. Best was struck and killed instantly by a plane the occupants of which were Flying Officer C. Parker and a pupil. The court is resuming its sitting tomorrow morning and is constituted as follows: President: Group Captain Hodson, A.F.C.; members: Squadron Leaders B. S. Nlcholl, R. A. Kirkup, R. C. Ayling and Flight Lieutenant R. J. Makgill; prosecutor: Flying Officer Jackson; defending officer: Flight Lieutenant A. G. Hill. The circumstances of the accident were that, accompanied by another airman, deceased was returning from the rifle range at the extreme northern corner of the landing ground. To reach the school buildings they skirted the aerodrome, walking near the boundary, and were about a quarter of the way round when a landing plane containing a pupil with his pilot instructor struck and killed Best. The impact was not seen by the dead man’s companion because he threw himself to the ground as the plane approached. It is assumed from subsequent, inspection of the plane that one of the wheels struck Best.