Whitley Z6469 at Linton on Ouse airfield.
On 8th December 1941 this 58 Squadron aircraft was being flown on a night flying exercise. A less experienced pilot was given dual flying training earlier in the exercise with a more experienced pilot who then left the aircraft after one landing. The less experienced then successfully made two good landings piloting the aircraft. On his third landing at Linton on Ouse the pilot over-estimated the aircraft's height and touched down hard, the aircraft bounced and the port wing dropped causing the port undercarriage leg to collapse when it hit the ground. It skidded to a halt. One of the crew sustained minor injuries.
Pilot (At controls) - P/O Angus Carr MacKenzie RNZAF (NZ.404491).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner (in rear turret) - Sgt Thomas Glenville Williams RAF (545642). Injured.
Pilot - Sgt John Douglas French RAFVR (1270657).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Leslie Charles Akehurst RAFVR (1255376).
Thomas Williams was killed flying Stirling W7639 with 149 Squadron on 8th December 1942.
Angus MacKenzie was killed flying Halifax W7699 with 35 Squadron . He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
Whitley Z6469 was built to contract 106962/40 by Armstrong Whitworth Ltd. at Baginton and was allotted to 9 MU on 13th December 1940. It was received by 9 MU on 1st January 1941 and was taken on charge by 51 Squadron at Dishforth on 21st February 1941. On 11th March 1941 it sustained Cat.Ac/FB damage in a crash at Dishforth that saw it repaired on site and returned to 51 Squadron on 30th March 1941. The aircraft was then transferred to 58 Squadron at Linton on Ouse on 1st April 1941. The aircraft required a repair on site on 5th September 1941 with it being servicable again on 21st September 1941. On 8th December 1941 it was slightly damaged at Linton on Ouse, Cat.Ac/FA damage was the damage assessment that saw a repair on site being made. The aircarft was returned to 58 Squadron on 24th December 1941. On 1st April 1942 it was taken on charge by No.1 Target Towing and Gunnery Flight at Binbrook, on 2nd May 1942 this unit was re-designated 1481 (Bombing) Gunnery Flight. On 1st August 1942 it sustained Cat.B/FA damage as the result of a flying accident. A repair on site was made and it took until 27th February 1943 for it to be made servicable. On 31st May 1943 it was transferred to 81 O.T.U. at Ashbourne. On 2nd March 1944 it transferred to 24 O.T.U. at Honeybourne but was assessed as being Cat.E1 unservicable on 10th May 1944. On 17th May 1944 it was struck off charge.