Hawker Hind K5385 near Pool in Wharfedale.
On Tuesday, 2nd February 1937 49 Squadron, based at Worthy Down moved to Leuchars to undertake an armament training camp. Their air party flew up the centre of the country and appears to have been using Dishforth aerodrome as a planned refuelling point. Around five or six of the aeroplanes were flying together when they passed over the Leeds area, heading north and flew over Pool in Wharfedale. The rising ground on both sides of Wharfedale was shrouded in mist at the time and the aeroplanes appear to have been flying low to assist with navigation. Having passed over Pool the aeroplanes flew over a farm belonging to the Stephenson family at Riffa and near to the summit of the rising ground one of the aeroplanes caught a tree top. The pilot then attempted to land but noticed cows ahead so tried to avoid them. The aeroplane's left wing dug into the ground and it came to rest with the undercarriage broken, the right lower wing broken and with the nose in the ground. 49 Squadron Hind K5383 force landed near Horden, Durham on the same date and with the pilot also flying toward Leuchars.
Pilot - Sgt Robert Eric Penwarn RAF (335499).
Observer - Cpl John E Morrison.