Piper Pawnee G-BFRX.

On Sunday, 27th March 1994 this ex-agricultural aircraft converted into a glider tug was coming in to land just before 15.00hrs, a cross wind was reported over the landing strip and it was thought the aircrafts wing clipped the ground because of these flying conditions. It was also thought that the pilot was trying to boost power and abort the landing at the time. The aircraft summersaulted off the airfield and down into woodland below wrecking it and injuring the pilot. The trees and bushes below, it is claimed saved the pilots life by braking the fall. The emergency services were soon on the scene and the pilot was taken to Northallerton's Friarage Hospital with cuts to his face and head, a dislocated hip and shoulder injuries. A press report on the crash describes his condition as being comfortable and stable by hospital staff. It is thought he made a full recovery. The aircraft was a complete wreck, after the CAA had looked into the crash the Gliding Club were told they could clear the area. The remains were later robbed as spares for another Pawnee they own.

This Piper Pawnee was built by the Piper Aircraft Corporation and first registered in the U.S.A. as N11C in 1974. The registration was cancelled and the aircraft purchased by a Swedish owner where it was registered as SE-GDZ. It was again cancelled as sold and moved to UK and was registered as G-BFRX on 23rd May 1978 to Aero Cropcane Ltd at Pembridge, Hereford. The registration was cancelled on 26th January 1981 when the aircraft was put up for sale. It was registered to a William R C Wauchope on 17th February 1981 and was based at Old Buckenham. The registration was 'Cancelled as destroyed' on 23rd November 1982 but there are as yet no details of why. It was repaired and was later registered to Miller Aerial Spraying Ltd based at Wickenby on 5th October 1983 and they held the registration until 19th February 1985. The next owners were Howard Avis Aviation Ltd based at Attleborough, taking up the registration on 6th March 1985. The aircraft was registered to The Yorkshire Gliding Cub (PTY) Ltd on 17th May 1988 and it suffered it terminal accident on 27th March 1994, it was cancelled as destroyed on 3rd June 1994. The remains were used for spares from January 1995 onwards. It is not known whether any of the aircraft remains.

Pilot - Mr John Hayes, aged 52, of Crawthorne, Yarm, injured.