Blenheim R3808 at Church Fenton airfield.
At 04.00hrs on 26th March 1942 the trainee pilot of this 54 O.T.U. aircraft lost control while attempting to overshoot a night landing at Church Fenton airfield, the aircraft stalled, then dived into the ground from 100 feet and crashed close to the airfield probably within the airfield boundary. This attempted landing was the pilot's second attempt at landing. His first approach was made very low and totally mis-aligned with the airfield lighting, he made an overshoot and flew a circuit of the airfield prior to the crash on his second attempt at landing. A subsequent investigation after the crash found a number of twigs jammed in the starboard aileron and it was presumed that he had probably struck a tree during his first attempt at landing.
Pilot - Sgt Edmund Roy Baggott RAFVR (1197405), aged 20, of Leicester. Buried Barwell Cemetery, Hinckley, Leicestershire.
Blenheim R3808 was built to contract 1485/39 by Rootes Securities Ltd. at Speke and was awaiting collection in May 1940. It was taken on charge by 82 Squadron based at Watton soon after completion and then moved to Bodney with this squadron on 1st October 1940. On an unspecified date in 1941 it was transferred to 13 O.T.U. at Bicester and by late 1941 it was on charge with 54 O.T.U. at Church Fenton but the dates of transfer are not yet known. As a result of the crash near Church Fenton on 26th March 1942 Cat.E2/FA Burnt damage was the result of the assessment.