PLANE CRASHES IN OXFORD

Southland Times, Issue 25545, 13 December 1944, Page 5

PLANE CRASHES IN OXFORD

LEADING AIRCRAFTMAN COURT-MARTIALLED (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, Dec. 14. An airman pilot who flew a Tiger Moth over the town of Oxford last month, struck a wireless aerial mast and crashed into electric power wires, causing the aircraft to land on its back in the main street, appeared before a district court-martial' at Harewood today. The accused was Leading Aircraftman Henry Bertram Osborne Nelson, aged 18 years 11 months, and he pleaded guilty to charges of negligently damaging his aircraft and disobedience of local flying orders. “On arriving over Oxford, where I reside with my father, I frankly admit that my zeal overcame my better judgment and I gave way to an impulse to indulge in exhibitionism for the edification of my fellow townspeople,” said the accused in a statement read to the Court. “I have received a very salutary lesson and in mitigation of my offence I can only plead my youth and a desire to show off. I ask the utmost leniency of this Court and I promise that, given the opportunity, I will use my utmost endeavours to rehabilitate myself in the eyes of the service.” The defending officer, Flying Officer J. E. Hopkins, who asked for leniency, said that Nelson was a good type of pupil and given a chance could be of some advantage to the service. His offence was due to youthful exuberance and a very understandable desire to fly over his old home town and show what he was capable of doing. The sentence of the court-martial will be forwarded to the convening officer for confirmation.