Piper Pawnee G-BENL (Photo via Jim Rutland).

On the 10th of July 1985 this aircraft was taking off and towing a glider when the engine on this tug aircraft failed. As the tug descended the glider pilot cast off and this aircraft then crashed into trees below the airfield slightly injuring the pilot. The fire brigade and Forestry Commision were soon on the scene and took care of a fuel spilage as the aircraft had just refueled before taking off. The glider managed to use the bit of height it had gained and landed next to the Helmsley to Thirsk road safely. The tug pilot was back in the air the same day, as was the passenger in the glider who was on a gliding holiday with his father. It was thought that the aircraft's reinforced cockpit had saved the pilots life.

This Pawnee was built by The Piper Aircraft Corporation and first registered in 1976 as N548923 in the USA. It was first registered in the UK on 1st March 1977 to Farm Aviation Servces Ltd at Enstone Airfield. It was later registered to Yorkshire Gliding Club (Pty) Ltd, at Sutton Bank on 7th January 1983. Its registration eventually cancelled as PWFU on 7th December 1990 and it was later used for spares at Old Buckenham.

The identity of the glider is not yet known.

Tug Pilot - Mr Alistair Cook, aged 24, of Oxfordshire, sustained shock and cuts to his leg.

Glider Pilot - Mr Nick Wood, the Yorkshire Gliding Club's assistant gliding instructor, uninjured.

Glider Passenger - Mr James Robinson, aged 18, of Moffat, Scotland.