HP.24 Hyderabad J8317 near Thorner.

On Saturday, 2nd October 1926 the Yorkshire Aeroplane Club organised what became their second air pageant at the aerodrome at Sherburn in Elmet where they operated. Various flying displays were given by both civilians and also the RAF. As part of the pageant a large Handley Page Hyderabad was due to attend and earlier in the day was being flown toward Sherburn in Elmet but it appears to have overshot somewhat. Newspapers state that it was being flown from Brough to Sherburn at the time but why it started from Brough is unclear and also how is was that the crew had managed to get themselves so far from either airfield. Hyderabad J8317 was on the books of 99 Squadron who were based at Bircham Newton but whom had aeroplanes on attachment at North Coates Fitties (Lincolnshire) for bombing and air gunnery classification practices which is where J8317 probably set out from but perhaps the previous day, overnighting at Brough. When over the area between Leeds and Tadcaster one of the aeroplane's engines failed. A forced landing was made in a field near Thorner. The aeroplane narrowly missed a set of telegraph wires just prior to crash landing in a field alongside the Leeds to Tadcaster road, east of Seacroft at Thorner Lane End. It came to rest across the roadside fence and was badly damaged. Two of the crew were thrown out in the crash but appear to have received only minor injuries and were taken to Sherburn by car. How many people were in this aeroplane when it crashed is unclear; it could carry more than the two people who were mentioned as being thrown out in the crash.

The site appears to have been near Morwick Hall as the crew of the aeroplane initially went there, the crash site has possibly now been lost under a new north-eastern Leeds road project.

Pilot - Name unknown.

Passenger - Names unknown (at least one).