Blackburn Bluebird G-AAOI at Sherburn in Elmet aerodrome.
On 20th January 1934 this civilian aircraft had been flown on a cross country flight, believed to have been a pleasure flight to overfly Scarborough and Bridlington. On return to the Sherburn area around ninety minutes later it circled the aerodrome, the pilot made a gradual descent until it was flying at around 200 feet and was roughly over the aerodrome. The pilot then made a sharp turn to the right, it then stalled and crashed on Sherburn in Elmet aerodrome. The aircraft caught fire on crashing and both civilians were killed. A number of people who were on the airfield attempted to rescue the men but were beaten back by the fire. The York County Aviation Club, who were based at Sherburn, appear to have operated the aircraft at the time where both men were members. Mr Quarmby was a qualified pilot while Mr Shaw, though a member of the club, had only undertaken a few hours flying training with an instructor. Owing to the nature of the crash it could not be proven who was actually flying the aircraft at the time of the crash.
Pilot - Mr James Varley Quarmby, aged 26, of Horbury, Yorkshire. Buried Horbury Cemetery, Yorkshire.
Passenger - Mr Clifford Shaw, aged 26, of Dewsbury, Yorkshire. Buried Dewsbury Cemetery, Yorkshire.
James Quarmby was born on 11th May 1907 at Horbury, Yorkshire. He was awarded a Royal Aero Club Aviators' Certificate (Cert.No.11406) following training at the York County Aviation Club on 2nd September 1933. He worked as an estate agent and insurance broker and was a well known off-road motorcyclist of his day.
Blackburn Bluebird G-AAOI was initially registered to National Flying Services, at Hanworth on 4th February 1930. On 13th May 1932 it passed to North Sea Aerial and General Transport Ltd. at Brough, it later appears registered to Herbert Roy Field at Hedon. At the time of the accident at Sherburn on 20th January 1934 ownership may have been registered to the Yorkshire Aeroplane Club at Sherburn in Elmet though the AIB report in the National Archives (under series AVIA5) suggests it was owned by North Sea Aerial and General Transport Ltd and loaned to the York County Aeroplane Club. Following the crash on 20th January 1934 it was written off and the registration was cancelled on 31st January 1934.