Tiger Moth T7024 near Thornaby airfield.
The aeroplane was on the books of No.2 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit who were based at Catfoss but for some reason it had been flown to Thornaby prior to the incident occurring. At around 14.45hrs on 31st July 1942 the aeroplane took off from Thornaby aerodrome but as it climbed away the engine began to fail. The pilot spotted a field and attempted to make a forced landing but aa barbed wire fence ran around the field and the aircraft struck it. This caused it to crash and sustain damage. The pilot received minor injuries. An investigation found that the fuel tank had water in it which had caused the engine problems.
Pilot - W/Co Robert Ewart Xavier Mack DFC RAF (37068). Injured.
Robert Mack was awarded the DFC for service with 22 Squadron, Gazetted on 24th December 1940. He was killed on 23rd February 1944 when 29 Squadron Mosquito HK371 crashed into the English Channel. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.