Percival Proctor Mk.III G-AJCU near Tosside.

On Saturday, 24th June 1950 what became the three passengers chartered this plane to fly them from West Hartlepool (Greatham) to Squires Gate, Blackpool. As they flew west mist became a problem with visibility and the radio did not work properly. The pilot became lost so made a successful forced landing just before noon in a field near Brockthorn Farm, Tosside. All four were taken in by the farm owner and given tea. After around an hours after landing the mist had cleared sufficiently to resume the flight. Unfortunately as it left the ground it then failed to clear the top of a stone wall at the edge of the field, it then crashed into an ajoining field and burst into flames. Nothing could be done for the four in the aircraft and all were killed. It was later thought possible that the plane was overloaded and that the pilot had miscalculated the weight of his passengers.

Pilot - Mr Douglas Barker Crabtree, aged 35. Ashes scattered at sea.

Passenger - Mr Edward Hornby, aged 73, of Gilmour Street, Thornaby on Tees. Burial location.

Passenger - Mrs Una Hornby, aged 52, of Gilmour Street, Thornaby on Tees. Burial location.

Passenger - Mrs Phyllis Bell, aged 34, of Hartington Road, Stockton on Tees. Burial location.

Douglas Crabtree was born on 22nd October 1914 at Sowerby Bridge, Yorkshire had joined the RAF in 1937 though may have already have done some flying as a civilian prior to this. When the Second World War broke out he joined 501 Squadron. On 10th May 1940 he was in Bombay L5813 when it crashed on landing in France during the squadron's move, four were killed and he was one of six to sustain injuries. He was sent back to England and recovered in time to return to 501 Squadron and fly during the Battle of Britain. He later served with 616 Squadron and was shot down over France on 3rd July 1941, he managed to evade capture and return to England. He received a Mention in Despatches in June 1942. He later received a commission and undertook instructor duties. He was a flying instructor and also the manager of Greatham Airport, West Hartlepool. The aircraft in which he died was owned by Frank Joseph Rand Elliot who also owned the airport. His ashes were later scattered over the North Sea by his brother.

In 2012 a memorial plaque was presented to Tuel Lane Infants' School, Sowerby Brodge in his honour following the plans for naming of a street in Ovenden.

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