On 12th June 1917 this RNAS Flying School aeroplane was badly damaged at Redcar aerodrome but sadly no details regarding how this occurred are known. The pilot may have sustained minor injuries though none are listed in his service records.
Pilot - FSL Austin Frauenfelder RNAS.
Austin Frauenfelder was born on 13th March 1892 in Borung, Murtoa, Victoria, Australia and was working as a chauffeur when he enlisted for military service on 17th August 1914, serving with the 2nd Australian Infantry Battalion. He was wounded at Gallipoli in April 1915. While in the UK he enlisted for RNAS service on 17th March 1916 and was granted the rank Probationary Flight Sub-Lieutenant. Following training at RNAS Chingford he was awarded a Royal Aero Club aviators' certificate (Cert.No.3090) on 13th June 1916. He was posted to RNAS Redcar on 28th May 1917 and served as an instructor initially at the RNAS Flying School, then with No.2 School. On 12th June 1917 he was piloting Bristol Scout 9000 when it was damaged at RNAS Redcar then on 29th June 1917 he force landed Maurice Farman Longhorn 8922 at Ormesby and possibly sustained minor injuries. He later transferred to the RAF on it's formation in April 1918 and while in the rank of Captain he was awarded the Air Force Cross as part of the King's Birthday Honours on 3rd June 1919. He relinquished his commission in the RAF on the grounds of ill-health on active service on 25th September 1920. He returned to his native Australia and was later awarded the MBE for services to the community. He died in Glenridding, New South Wales on 29th July 1979.
Scout 9000 was built by Bristol's at Filton and was delivered to RNAS Redcar for erection on 28th October 1916. After testing it joined the RNAS Flying School. After sustained damage at Redcar aerodrome on 22nd January 1917 it was repaired and returned to service. It was damaged again in another flying accident at Redcar on 12th June 1917 but this time it was later assessed and deemed beyond ecomonic repair on 25th June 1917.