On 13th November 1942 this No.2 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit aircraft was being flown on a night training flight and had just taken off from Catfoss airfield when it dived into the ground at 01.45hrs around a mile south west of Skipsea. This was the pilot's first solo night flight and it was thought that he had become disorientated prior to the crash and had lost control. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot killed. Part of the wreckage was thrown into a mine field that existed on the cliff tops between Skipsea village and the ranges to the south of the village.
Pilot - Sgt Francis Kinnon RNZAF (NZ.414989), aged 21, of Kihikihi, Auckland, New Zealand. Buried Brandesburton Churchyard, Yorkshire.
The grave of Sgt Kinnon at Brandesburton.
Beaufighter T5146 was built to contract B.41906/39 by Fairey Aviation Ltd at Heaton Chapel, Stockport and was awaiting collection in August 1941. The dates of transfer between the units it served are not known and the aircraft's AM Form 78 is required for this. In late 1941 it served with 248 Squadron at Bircham Newton, in early 1942 it was passed to 235 Squadron. In May 1942 this unit ceased flying this type of Beaufighter so this was when it was probably transferred to No.2 (C)O.T.U. at Catfoss. As a result of the crash on 11th November 1942 Cat.E/FA was the damage assessment and the aircraft was struck off charge.
Historians Eric Barton, Ken Reast and Albert Pritchard joined local aviation expert Rodney Robinson in Summer 2008 in obtaining permission from the landowner and they located small fragments of the aircraft to confirm the location. The photograph above shows small fragments that were retained by Eric following his visit.