Halifax L9528 at Riccall airfield.
at 16.15hrs on 4th October 1942 this 76 Conversion Flight was being taxied at Riccall airfield and as the pilot opened-up the throttles an explosion followed in the starboard outer engine and the whole propeller blade complete with the reduction gear flew off. An investigation followed and found that the blade had fractured at the root inside the hub. No injuries were reported.
Pilot (Instructor) - P/O Walter Ronald Waite RAFVR (104508).
Pilot (Pupil) - Sgt Bruce Alexander Wisely RNZAF (NZ.412779).
Halifax L9528 was built to contract 692649/37 by Handley Page Ltd. at Radlett and was allotted to 35 Squadron on 26th April 1941. It was taken on charge by 35 Squadron at Linton on Ouse on 2nd June 1941. On 6th June 1941 it was transferred to 76 Squadron at Middleton St.George and carried the squadron code "MP-P". The aircraft completed three operational flights. It sustained Cat.Ac/FB damage on 9th July 1941. The repair took some weeks and the on 24th September 1941 it was finally returned to 76 Squadron. On 13th March 1942 it sustained Cat.Ac/FA damage in a flying accident. It was again repaired on site and returned to 76 Squadron on 6th June 1942. It did not go the Middle East with the 76 Squadron contingent that went out in July 1942. The date of transfer to 76 Conversion Flight is not given on the aircraft's AM Form 78. 76 Conversion Flight had been based at Middleton St.George until 14th September 1942 when they moved to Riccall. As a result of the minor damage sustained at Riccall on 4th October 1942 Cat.Ac/FA damage was the assessment. It was then repaired on site at Riccall but while it was being repaired 76 Conversion Flightt was absorbed into 1658 Heavy Conversion Unit on 7th October 1942, also based at Riccall. It was returned to the unit on 1st December 1942. In June 1943 the aircraft was converted to Ground Instructional Airframe 3882M.