On 3rd November 1940 this aircraft was undertaking a training flight with No.5 Elementary Flying Training School in which the practice of side-slipping, turns and aerobatics were being carried out. Although there is no mention of the airman being lost on the accident record the aircraft was many miles from it's home airfield so it is very likely that the weather was poor and the pilot became lost in bad visibility. The pupil was instructed to make a precautionary landing in a field near Gisburn but the chosen field was surrounded by trees and as the aircraft approached it was clear the aircraft would hit some of these trees. The aircraft's nose was pulled up to avoid a collision but the aircraft stalled and struck the trees and crash landed in the field. The pilot received minor injuries to his face. The damage to the aircraft was initially assessment and first deemed too badly damaged to be repaired, the wreckage must then have been re-assessed and was deemed repairable, but later it was again assessed and written off.
Pilot - LAC Michael Frederick Watson RAFVR (1165649). Injured.