On 14th July 1939 this aircraft was on a flight from Driffield when it suffered an engine failure in the Middlesbrough area, the pilot ordered his three crew to abandon the aircraft by parachute which they did and landed without any problems. He then tried to force land the aircraft near Thornaby but hit a pylon while doing so and crashed. The aircraft was dismantled on site and removed by road for repair. It is not thought the pilot sustained serious injuries, he was 77 Squadron's Commanding Officer at the time.

Pilot - W/Co John Bradbury DFC RAF (03153).

Three other crew - Names unknown.

John Bradbury transferred from the Army to the RFC in 1917 and flew in France. He then transferred to the RAF on its formation. In 1919 and 1920 he flew in Egypt and between 1921 to 1925 he was in India where he saw service in Waziristan in 1923 and 1925. In 1926 he returned to the UK and became a test pilot at Martlesham for time before receiving postings to numerous other units. As F/Lt he was presented with the DFC at Buckingham Palace on 27th February 1934. He was posted to 33 Squadron on 23rd September 1935 and later rose to S/Ldr on 1st April 1936, rising to W/Co on 1st January 1939. He took command of 77 Squadron on an unknown date but shortly after this incident at Thornaby he was posted to the Air Ministry, he was promoted to G/Cpt (temp) on 1st June 1941 and continued his service throughout WW2. He was Station Commanding Officer of RAF Marston Moor from 25th October 1941 to 21st January 1942. He relinquished his temporary rank of G/Cpt on 1st November 1947 taking the rank of W/Co (subs) but was promoted back to G/Cpt (subs) on 19th May 1949 and retired from the RAF the following day.