Oxford AT621 at Holme on Spalding Moor airfield.
On 3rd June 1942 this 1520 Beam Approach Training Flight aircraft was being used to undertake a beam approach training flight when it swung on landing at 09.00hrs at Holme on Spalding Moor airfield. Out of control, it ran into a deep ditch on the edge of the airfield that had been dug for laying cables in. The aircraft then overturned and was badly damaged.
Oxford AT621 was built to contract B.118356/40 by The De Havilland Aircraft Co. Ltd. at Hatfield and was awaiting collection October 1941. It was taken on charge by 1520 Beam Approach Training Flight on 19th October 1941. This unit used Holme on Spalding Moor airfield for their flying but their administration and personnel were based at nearby Breighton airfield. As a result the crash on 3rd June 1942 the damage was assessed and deemed too severe to warrant a repair so it was written off with Cat.E/FA damage recorded on the paperwork.
Pilot (Instructor) - Sgt Eric Armstrong Hooker RAFVR (1319945).
Pilot (Pupil) - Sgt W G Herr RCAF (R/101675).
Eric Hooker was posted to 1520 BAT Flight as a pupil on 10th May 1942, his course ended before the end of May 1942 and he was one of two pupils retained by 1520 BAT Flight to be trained as instructors. His training as an instructor had began a few days before the crash on 3rd June 1942. On 20th June 1942 he was deemed unsuitable as an instructor at 1520 B.A.T.Flight and was posted to 13 O.T.U. at Bicester three days later. Sgt Hooker was killed on 28th August 1942 as pilot of Blenheim N6169 which is believed to have crashed into the North Seaoff Flamborough Head, Yorkshire after it collided head-on with another Blenheim. Crews of both aircraft were undertaking night navigation training flights. He was twenty one years old, his body was never found and he is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
There was a Sgt W G Herr who later flew with 177 Squadron and he is probably the same person as involved in this accident on 3rd June 1942.