PILOT CHARGED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 8 January 1944, Page 4

PILOT CHARGED

SLOW-ROLLED INTO TROUBLE AEROBATICS BELOW 3000 FEET AT BLENHEIM “It is refreshing to have to deal with a low-flying case in which the elements of danger to life and properly do not arise.” remarked Flying Officer J. W. P. Watts, defending officer at a district court martial at Woodbourne yesterday, when addressing the Court on the question of penalty. The accused was Pilot Officer Peter Morison Duncan, who was charged with conduct to the prejudice of good order and Air Force discipline in that, near Blenheim, on 6th December, when captain of a training aircraft, he improperly and without permission carried out aerobatics at an altitude of under 3000 feet, contrary to the King’s Regulations and Air Council Instructions (reports the “Express”). P/O Duncan 4 faced an alternative charge of low flying, on which he was found not guilty. The Court’s findings in connection with the other charge will be forwarded to Air Headquarters for confirmation and promulgation. The president of the Court was Group Captain K. L. Caldwell, M.C., D.F.C., A.D.C.. and the members were Wing Commander H. B. Burrell, 0.8. E., Wing Commander F. R. Dix. Squadron Leader M. H. Claver and Flight Lieutenant G. Rogers. Flight Lieutenant N. A. Morrison, LL.B.. was Judge Advocate and Flying Officer J. E. Farrell prosecuted. REPORTED THE OFFENCE P/O Henry Maitland Eccersall, a flying instructor, said that about 9 a m. on 6th December he had been flying towards Blenheim at approximately 1500 feet. He had noticed another machine ahead of him, and at about the same altitude, flying inverted over the town. The plane was then rolled over, and shortly afterwards the manoeuvre was repeated. Witness said he had caught up w ith, and identified, the machine, and upon his return had reported the matter. L.A.C. John Stanley Gillam. a pupil. flying with Eccersall, gave corroborative evidence. PART OF INSTRUCTION L.A.C. Robert Harry Granger, who had accompanied the accused, said they had been carrying out aerobatics at about 7000 feet in a gap in the clouds over the coast. After the cloud became thick accused had taken over and when approaching Blenheim had demonstrated a bad type of slow roll, and the correct method to be adopted. He could not definitely state the altitude, but they were below the cloud base, which was about 3500 feet. Witness said he had had the manoeuvres explained to him over the earphones, and the bad type of roll had been carried out to show him that he had not had the nose of the aircraft up sufficiently and had been losing height. The president: Then you must have lost height during the demonstration. — “I could not say definitely, but I presume that we must have.’’ Addressing the Court after its findings had been announced Flying Officer Watts stressed the fact that the accused had been authorised to carry out aerobatics. L.A.C. Granger, he said, was the first pupil the accused had "put through.” and he attributed his lapse in executing the manoeuvre below the prescribed height to over-keen-ness in giving his pupil, who was on his last instructional flight, the benefit of every assistance.