On 3rd September 1942 this 1652 Conversion Unit aircraft was being flown on a night-time circuit flying exercise. At 22.20hrs the crew were in the process of landing back at base of Marston Moor with the port outer engine shut down when the aircraft was forced to overshot the first landing as it was not lined up properly with the runway. The pilot applied full power to the three running engines to fly a circuit of the airfield but the increased power on the starboard side caused the aircraft to immediately swing to port. The port wing then dropped. Such flying conditions at low height often resulted in loss of control, this aircraft dived into the ground on the edge of or close to Marston Moor airfield and a number of the crew were killed.
Pilot - Sgt Jack Duncan Duffus RAF (525589), aged 26, of West Radcliffe. Buried Chevington Cemetery, Northumberland. Died soon after of injuries.
Flight Engineer - Sgt Robert Gasken RAF(AuxAF) (807051), aged 28, of Gateshead. Buried Gateshead East Cemetery, Durham.
Air Gunner - Sgt Robert George Wraight RAFVR (1387626), aged 21, of Islington, London. Buried Islington Cemetery & Crematorium, London.
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt John Leslie Easter RAFVR (1261702). Injured and taken to York Military Hospital.
Halifax W1163 was built to contract B.982938/39 by the English Electric Co.Ltd. at Samlesbury. It was then taken on charge by 1652 Conversion Unit at Marston Moor on 16th June 1942 and sustained minor Cat.A/FA damage on 25th June 1942 at Marston Moor. It was then swiftly repaired on site and returned to the unit. On 3rd September 1942 it stalled on approach to land at Marston Moor after the port outer engine failed. Cat.E2/FA damage was the assessment following the second incident and it was struck off charge on 4th September 1942.
Sgt Duffus' grave in Chevington Cemetery, photograph found on "www.fusilier.co.uk".
John Easter survived his injuries and received a commission in 1945.