On 26th June 1942 the pilot of this aircraft was undertaking an operational training flight with 59 Operational Training Unit with other aircraft of the same training unit when this aircraft suffered engine failure while carrying out a formation flying part to the exercise. The pilot is believed to initially decided to bale out, he jettisoned an exit panel from the cockpit and un-did his straps but then opted to remain with the aircraft and try to force land the aircraft instead of baling out. The aircraft then stalled and crashed onto the lower slopes of Dent near Black How, Cleator. The pilot was sadly killed in this incident at 13.10hrs. Technically this aircraft crashed just outside of the National Park area, but it is still on high / rising ground just outside the national park boundary so I have included it on this list.
In his book on flying accidents in the Lake District Mike Hurst gives a map reference for a location within woodland on the lower slopes of Dent. I searched for the site in the woodland in 2015 and 2016 and failed to locate the crash site. Since then I have learnt that may well have crashed outside of the woodland and that the map reference is another in Hurst's book that was published deliberately incorrect.
Pilot - Sgt Benet Nicholls RAF (610074), aged 28, of Jesmond, Newcastle-on-Tyne. Buried Warwick Bridge RC Churchyard, Cumbria.
Benet Nicholls' grave at Warwick Bridge.
