On Friday, 16th November 1917 the pilot of this No.76 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps aeroplane was undertaking a night fight when the engine failed south of York while flying at around 800 feet above the ground. The pilot lost control and the aeroplane spun into the ground near Crockey Hill. Part of the wreckage caught fire and while the pilot was pulled clear he died of his injuries the following day at Fulford Hospital. It was probably based at Copmanthorpe aerodrome. The photograph shown above was printed in Brian Rapier's White Rose Base and while he didn't attribute it to a specific incident or crash site I would suggest it could fit with being the crash of B.E.2e 6291. The time of year fits, with there being no leaves on trees for November. It also could loosely fit with being in a field between Crockey Hill and Wheldrake near North House Farm which is also very near to where a Junkers Ju88 crashed in 1942.
Pilot - 2Lt Robert Vernon Elwood RFC, aged 18. Died 17th November 1917. Buried Fulford Cemetery, York.
Robert Elwood was the son of Alfred Stewart and Beata Ann Elwood, of 35 Matheson Road, West Kensington, London.