Halifax DG219 at Breighton airfield.
September 1942 saw 460 Squadron begin conversion from twin engined Wellingtons to four engined heavy bombers. During the afternoon of 24th September 1942 this 460 Conversion Flight aircraft was being flown with an instructor and a trainee pilot so that the instructor could check the pupil's ability to land prior to allowing him to fly solo. On landing at Breighton airfield at 15.20hrs the aircraft entered a swing but before it could be brought under control the aircraft ran over a ditch and also barbed wire. The aircraft's undercarriage may also have collapsed. The weather in the squadron record book states it was cold and wet during this day and probably paid a part in the incident though this is not mentioned on the accident AM Form 1180 card.
Pilot (Instructor) - F/Sgt Gordon Donald Graham RAAF (404910).
Pilot (Pupil) - Sgt Charles Robert Gordon Grant RAAF (402571).
Flight Engineer - Sgt Eric Donald Dickson RAF (572272). Injured.
Halifax DG219 was built to contract ACFT/637/C4/C by Rootes Securities Ltd. at Speke. It was immediately flown to 12 MU at Kirkbride on 1st April 1942, where, on 16th April 1942, the aircraft sustained what was initially assessed as being Cat.B/FA damage of an unspecified nature. The aircraft was repaired on site by Handley Page and was returned to 12 MU on 4th July 1942. It was then taken on charge by 460 Conversion Flight at Breighton on 6th August 1942. On 15th August 1942 the unit moved to Holme on Spalding Moor. As a result of the damage sustained there on 24th September 1942 the damage was assessed as being Cat.Ac/FA and it was repaired on site. Whilst being repaired 460 Conversion Flight were absorbed into 1656 Heavy Conversion Unit at Lindholme on 18th October 1942 so when repairs were completed on 4th December 1942 it was flown to Lindholme where it continued to serve with 1656 H.C.U. On 27th May 1944 it crashed near Dunscroft and was destroyed. Cat.E2/FA Burnt damage was recorded on the paperwork and it was struck off charge on 1st June 1943.