Spitfire P8049 near Whashton, Richmond.
On 2nd April 1941 this 41 Squadron aircraft was flying over the Richmond area when, at 11.30hrs, it dived vertically through cloud and crashed near Whashton killing the pilot.
It was thought that the pilot had passed out through lack of oxygen resulting in the aircraft entering the dive from which it did not recover.
Pilot - P/O Michael Featherstone Briggs RAFVR (86346), aged 20, of Cookham, Berkshire. Buried Cookham Cemetery, Berkshire.
Michael Briggs had initially worked in the test section of Fairey Aviation in 1939 but later joined the RAFVR and trained to be a pilot. He received
his commission on 22nd September 1940 and flew with 234 Squadron during the latter days of the Battle of Britain before being posted to 41 Squadron on 4th November 1940. He was the son of Group Captain Edward Briggs DSO RAF.
Near his former home in Cookham, Berkshire he is now commemorated by a stone memorial seat.
Spitfire P8049 was built to contract B.981687/39/CB/23(c) by Vickers Armstrong's Ltd. at Castle Bromwich and having been test flown was sent to 39 MU at Colerne for preparation for operational use. On 30th March 1941 it was taken on charge by 41 Squadron at Catterick only to suffer this accident near Richmond
on 2nd April 1941. After the accident Cat.E2/FA(burnt) damage was recorded and the aircraft was struck off charge five days later. This was the first MkIIa
Spitfire accident in Yorkshire.