Blackburn Bluebird IV G-AATP near South Milford.
During the evening of Wednesday 2nd May 1934 this aeroplane was flying in the vicinity of Sherburn in Elmet aerodrome, where it's owners, the Yorkshire County Aviation Club, had their flying headquarters. The aeroplane was seen circling by Mr W Atkinson of Well Lane Gates, South Milford just prior to it being in trouble. Shortly afterward he saw it fly down the railway cutting of the Leeds to Hull railway line just before a train was due. Thankfully the pilo pulled the aeroplane out from the cutting but then crashed in a field near the railway line. The aeroplane was badly damaged but remarkably the pilot, who was flying alone, escaped with only head injuries and a dislocated right ankle though he later required treatment at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary (near to his home). The witnesses wife suffered from a weak heart, she had been upset by the excitement and had to be put to bed, exactly why she became excited is unclear.
Pilot - Mr Frank Lodge, of Huddersfield.
Frank Lodge worked as a dentist in Huddersfield at the time of this incident.
Blackburn Bluebird G-AATP was built by Blackburn's at Brough. It first appears owned by P.Dujardin in January 1930, then Captain N. Blackburn from 24th February 1930 who both operated it from Brough. Olympia Cattle Foods Ltd. were its next owner who operated it from Sherburn in Elmet (Mr Dujardin owned Olympia so must have bought it back). North Sea Aerial and General Transport Ltd. then had it and took it back to Brough. From 24th May 1931 the Yorkshire County Aviation Club took over as owners and operated at Sherburn in Elmet. As a result of the crash on 2nd May 1934 the aeroplane was written off and the registration was cancelled in June 1934.