COLLISION WITH WIRES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21581, 7 December 1944, Page 4

COLLISION WITH WIRES

PLANE ACCIDENT SEQUEL TAIERi COURT-MARTIAL (P.A.) DUNEDIN, Dec. ' A collision by two training aircraf with wires across the Molyneux Rive at Balclutha on November 9 resulted iri four instructors stationed at Taieri air station appearing before a genera court-martial at, the station yesterday The aircraft remained airworthj after the collision, but were damage? by c/ontact with the wires. All foir accused held the rank of flying offi cer. The two designated as pilots o the aircraft pleaded guilty to charge of low Hying and endangering the lives of the occupants, while the tw described as captains denied failin to exercise adequate control and supervision. The pilots were Flying Officers Sea ton George Sharp and G.arfiel Blaekie McGill, who were eac' charged that while pilots of aircraf they did with neglect and withou authority fly at such height as U cause the aircraft to collide wit’ electric power or telegraph line' causing damage to the aircraf amounting in one case to £23 15s am in the other to £2B 10s. They were also charged with flying in a mannelikely to cause loss of life or bodih injury to the occupants of the air craft. The captains of the aircraft. Fly inOfficer James Stanley Wigelswortl and Flying Officer Edgar Henr? James Wilson, were each charger with neglect of good order and discipline in that while captains of air craft they failed to exercise ade quate control and supervision of tinpilots, as a result of which they tier at such a height ,as to cause them tc collide with electric-power and tele graph lines. Group Captain C. E. Kay, com manding officer at Wigram, presided •Wing Commander W. R. Kofocd commanding officer at Taieri, se : that the physical and mental strai imposed on the instructors was ver great and he could understand ar officer desiring to indulge in low fly ing or some other form of aerobatic when away from instruction. He did not condone the offence, but tin strain and monotony of the job werr appreciated by the authorities. H< would be very reluctant to lose anj of the accused from his command. After hearing further evidence, the court intimated that*- its findings and sentences would be promulgated later bv the Am Department.