At 12.25hrs on 22nd September 1942 this 76 Squadron aircraft was being taxied around Linton on Ouse airfield when it struck a half submerged waterpipe that was on part of the airfield that was having construction work done. Unfortunately the standard of Halifax tail wheel assemblies was not good on these early variants and it collapsed.
Halifax DT490 was built to contract B982938/39 by English Electric Ltd at Samlesbury and was taken on charge by 76 Squadron Conversion Flight at Middleton St.George on 30th August 1942. On 16th September 1942 76 Squadron & 76 Squadron Conversion Flight left Middleton St.George; 76 Squadron moved to Linton-on-Ouse and 76 Squadron Conversion Flight moved to Riccall. Possibly because of the lack of serviceable aircraft on the parent unit, it found itself on charge with 76 Squadron at Linton on Ouse on 19th September 1942. On 22nd September 1942 it sustained damage at Linton on Ouse while taxying the tail wheel collapsed after hitting a half submerged water pipe. Cat.Ac/FA damage was the damage assessment and it was repaired on site. The aircraft was servicable and was returned to 76 Squadron on 16th October 1942. On 22nd February 1943 it was flown to English Electric Ltd for modifications and once complete it returned to 76 Squadron on 7th March 1943. The aircraft was transferred to 1658 Heavy Conversion Unit at Riccall on 18th April 1943. On 20th May 1943 it was in need of a repair on site that was carried out by Handley Page Ltd, almost certainly not accident damage. It was returned to 1658 H.C.U. on 6th July 1943 and was destroyed as a result of a very serious accident near Pickering on 26th November 1943 when half of the tail fell off in the air and it dived into the ground. All it's then crew were sadly killed. Cat.E2/FA Burnt damage was the damage assessment and it was struck off charge on 30th November 1943.
Pilot - S/Ldr John Owen Barnard RAF (33358).