Chipmunk G-BWUV near Harome, Helmsley.

On 20th February 2009 this aircraft suffered engine failure in the air after a fault with the magneto breakers just after it had taken off from the airstrip at Wombleton, it was force landed near Harome and sustained some damage to the nose section and engine cowling after striking a hedge and a wire fence. The pilot was uninjured and walked away. While it is recorded as being kept at Bagby the pilot regularly used Wombleton airfield. The location given in the newspaper was Church Lane, Harome, however there is no such road, there is a Chapel Lane and this remains the presumed location of the forced landing. Through speaking to friends in the area they confirmed the location.

Pilot - (Probably) Mr Peter Ray, of Thirkleby, Thirsk. Minor injuries.

The Chipmunk was built to contract 6/ACFT/6064 by De Havilland Aircraft Co. Ltd at Chester and was awaiting collection on 30th May 1952. It was delivered to 17 RFS at Hornchurch on 30th June 1952 and then transferred to 11 RFA at Scone on 28th May 1953. It again transferred to St. Andrews UAS at Leuchars on 20th May 1954 and was coded "-60", it was later re-coded "-Y" and by September 1962 it carried no code. The Unit was renamed St.Andrews & Dundee UAS on 1st August 1967. It then transferred to 1 FTS at Linton on Ouse on 22nd July 1968 and again transferred back to St.Andrews & Dundee UAS at Leuchars on 17th September 1968. It was placed in storage at 27 MU Shawbury on 28th January 1969 before being issued to Belfast (Queens) UAS at Sydenham on 18th June 1969. Once again it was transferred, this time to RAFC Cranwell on 29th July 1969 and then later to 7AEF at Newton on 6th October 1969 and was coded "-L". It was transferred to East Midlands UAS at Newton on 25th September 1974. It was again placed in storage at 5 MU at Kemble on 14th March 1975 and some years later issued to FSS (Flying Selection Squadron) at Swinderby on 10th July 1979 and coded "-C". The Unit moved to Cranwell on 3rd August 1979, it was re-designated an EFTS on 1st June 1987 and still at Cranwell, it still carried the coding "-C", it was then transferred to 3 AEF at Colerne on an as yet unspecified date in 1993 and still carried the coding "-C". It was placed in store at Newton on 11th February 1996. The RAF put the aircraft up for sale in 1996 and it was sold on 30th May 1996 and civilian registered as G-BWUV on 18th July 1996 to Peter Ray who based the aircraft at Bagby but used Wombleton to fly from regularly. In the incident at Harome it is believed to have suffered Cat.3/FA damage. Although civilian registration was G-BWUV it had authority to carry its old military serial number of WK640 and coding of "C".