Oxford V3986 near Church Fenton.
On 4th August 1941 this 54 OTU aircraft suffered engine failure while the pilot was undertaking a night training flight and it was thought the pilot was attempting
a force landing near Church Fenton airfield but had lowered the wheels too early. The aircraft lost height, struck a tree and crashed to the south-east of
Church Fenton village. Sadly the pilot was killed in the accident at 01.20hrs.
Pilot - Sgt Francis Neville Cave RAFVR (1067025), aged 19, of Liverpool. Buried Toxteth Park Cemetery, Liverpool.
Francis Cave was born on 8th February 1922 and was the son of Francis Herbert Hayward and Nellie Cave of Liverpool. As a boy he attended the Liverpool
Institute from 1933 to 1938. His father Francis passed away in December 1938 and was living in Waterloo, Liverpool at the time. Both father and son are
buried in the same grave in Liverpool's Toxteth Cemetery.
Oxford V3986 was built to contract B.55347/39 by The Standard Motor Company Ltd. at Canley, Coventry and was awaiting collection in May 1941. After
a short period of MU storage it was taken on charge by 54 OTU on 2nd July 1941. Just over a month later on 4th August 1941 it crashed near base and
Cat.E2/FA(Burnt) damage was recorded and the aircraft written off.