Hawker Audax K5251 near Thornaby.

On the night of 22nd September 1936 this No.9 Flying Training School aircraft was taking off from Thornaby airfield for what would have been the pilot's first solo night flight having earlier undertaken dual flying training. As it took off it soon lost height, initially touched down in a field and ran into woodland (Thornaby Wood) near Thorntree Farm, Thornaby. The aircraft caught fire and, even though the pilot was eventually pulled clear, he sadly died.

Pilot - Acting P/O Terence William Rowley RAF, aged 19, of Sydney Road, Twickenham. Burial location unknown.

Terence Rowley received a commission to the rank of Acting P/O on probation on 6th July 1936, he was posted to 9 FTS on 18th July 1936.
Audax K5251 was taken on charge by 9 FTS from its makers, Bristol, having been built to contract 389426/35 their at Filton factory and was delivered to 9 FTS on 17th April 1936. The aircraft was written off with Cat.W/FA damage recorded and struck of charge on 3rd December 1936 with total flying time of 212.40 hours.

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