COURT MARTIAL SITS

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21336, 6 February 1941, Page 10

COURT MARTIAL SITS

BELL BLOCK FATALITY DEATH OF AIRCRAFTSMAN STRUCK BY INCOMING PLANE (By Telegrapa.—Press Association) NEW PLYMOUTH, Wednesday A court martial sat at the Royal Rew Zealand Air Force elementary flying training school at Bell Block today to inquire into the circumstances of the accident on December 6 in which Leading-Aircraftsman M. S. Best was struck and killed instantly by an aeroplane in which were Flying-Officer C. Parker and a pupil. The Court is resuming its sitting tomorrow morning. The president of the Court is Group-Captain Hodson, A.F.C., the other members being SquadronLeaders B. S. Nicholl, R. A. Kirkup, R. C. Ayling and Flight-Lieutenant R. J. Makgill. The prosecutor is Flying-Officer Jackson and the defending officer Flight-Lieutenant A. G. Hill. Leading-Aircraftsman Best, accompanied by another airman pilot undergoing training, 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. They were about a quarter of the way round when a landing aeroplane 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 aeroplane approached. It is assumed from a subsequent inspection of the aeroplane that one of the wheels struck Best.