Jet Provost XM453 near Ribblehead Viaduct.

On 21st November 1983 an instructor and his student were undertaking a low-level training flight over the Yorkshire Dales when the aircraft struck several birds. A number of birds were ingested into the engine intakes and damaged the engine. The instructor took over control of the aircraft and began a climbing turn in the direction of their home airfield but as the engine lost power it was noticed that the jet pipe heat had risen to over 800'C because of the damage to the engine and resulting engine surge. The instructor ordered his student to eject and he then did the same, the instructor landed heavily and sustained a compression fracture of his back and his student sustained injuries to his right leg. The aircraft crashed on Cam Fell in the Ribblehead area and caught fire on impact.

Instructor Pilot - F/Lt Gerald O Riddett BSc RAF (2615982E), aged c36. Back Injuries.

Pupil Pilot - F/Lt Larry Betts RAF. Minor injuries.

Gerald Riddett had been in the RAF as far back as the late 1960's, he rank was re-graded as P/O from Acting P/O on 15th July 1970 (with seniority from 15th April 1968), he rose to F/O on 15th January 1971 and F/Lt on 15th April 1971. He later returned to flying after recovering from his injuries sustained in this ejection over the Yorkshire Dales and was then made a member of Specialist Aircrew while in the rank of F/Lt on 18th April 1985. He flew Nimrods and served with the Central Flying School during periods of his service. After retiring from the RAF on 14th April 1989 he went on to become a civilian pilot and current (as of 2011) works for Professional Air Training Ltd at Bournemouth. The photograph of him shown here was found on their website. He is clearly a vastly experienced pilot and instructor.

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