LOW FLYING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 February 1943, Page 3

LOW FLYING

PLANE ALLEGED TO HAVE HIT TANK. COURT-MARTIAL HEARING. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, February 15. An alleged collision between a lowflying aircraft and an army tank near Christchurch on January 5 led to the appearance of Flying Officer Francis Kenneth Woodward, R.N.Z.A.F., before a general .court-martial this morning. Woodward pleaded not guilty to the following charges: —(1) That he did an act in flying which was likely to cause bodily injury in that, being the captain of an aircraft he did fly in such a manner as to collide with a tank; (2) negligently damaging an aircraft to the extent of £32; (3) did an act to the prejudice of good order and air force discipline in that when engaged in instruction in low flying he flew at a height below 250 feet. Evidence was called to show that Woodward was captain of the aircraft and demonstrating operational low flying. Several tanks were in the vicinity and the aircraft collided with the turret of one, and as a result the tank was slightly damaged and the aircraft to the extent of £32. The height of the turret of the tank from the ground was stated to be 8 or 10 feet. Woodward was found not guilty on the charge of acting to the prejudice of good order* and discipline. Decisions on the other two charges will go forward to the confirming authorities for consideration.