Magister N3859 at Leconfield airfield.
On 21st February 1940 Magister N3859, was struck by Spitfire K9988 at Leconfield airfield at 14.15hrs
when the Spitfire had been scrambled and was taking off, at the time of this collision the Spitfire pilot was trying to avoid
hitting a Battle aircraft which was also in the way.
On this date the named 234 Squadron pilot was killed and it is believed he was either in the Magister or near it
at the time of the collision and was unable to get clear.
Pilot - P/O David W Coysh RAF (41671), aged 22, of Vancouver, Canada. Buried Torquay Cemetery, Devon.
David Coysh received his commission to the rank of Acting P/O on probation on 7th March 1939, he
was later graded as P/O on probation on 6th November 1939.
Magister N3859 was built to contract 778435/38 by Phillips and Powis Ltd at Woodley and delivered to 9 MU at Cosford on 5th
December 1938 and placed into long term storage. It was later issued to 234 Squadron based at Leconfield on 3rd November 1939
after the unit reformed there on 30th October 1939. Following the accident detailed above Cat.W/FA damage was declared and
after inspection by 60 MU on 24th february 1940 it was deemed beyond repair ans struck off charge on 9th March 1940. As with K9988
there is no record of this incident on the aircraft's record card.