On 20th July 1942 this No.10 (0)A.F.U. aircraft was being flown on a cross country training flight from / to Dumfries airfield when, over North Yorkshire, the aircraft suffered engine failure. The pilot crash landed at 14.30hrs next to the A1 road just west of Rainton village, around a mile north of Dishforth airfield. The crew escaped serious injury but the aircraft was badly damaged and was later written off. The aircraft may have made a landing at Dishforth airfield earlier in the day and the aircraft suffered the engine failure after take-off.
Botha L6289 was built to contract 563935/36 by The Blackburn Aircraft Co. Ltd. at Brough and was awaiting collection in October 1940. It was received by 23 Mu on 7th November 1940 and then taken on charge by No.8 B.G.S. at Evanton on 25th April 1941. It then transferred to No.10 A.O.S. at Dumfries on 28th November 1941. On 1st May 1942 the unit was re-designated 10 (0)A.F.U. and remained at Dumfries. As a result of the accident damage at Dishforth on 20th July 1942 the damage assessment was initially deemed as being Cat.B/FA but four days later was re-assessed as Re-Cat.E1 and struck off charge on 31st August 1942. The aircraft's AM Form 78 then lists a further re-assessed which downgraded it to Re-Cat.B by Blackburns on 1st September 1942, this would mean it was considered for repair but that does not appear to have happened.
Pilot - P/O Burgess.
Air Gunner - Sgt Boothby. Slightly injured and admitted to Dishforth airfield sick quarters.
Rest of crew - Names unknown.