Oxford V3214 near Finningley airfield.
On 8th June 1942 one of this aircraft's engines caught fire when the trainee pilot while flying in the circuit of Finningley airfield following a night cross-country training flight. At 04.30hrs the pilot crash landed the aircraft close to Finningley airfield but it was badly damaged. 15 (P)AFU were normally based at Leconfield but were using Finningley around this date for some of their flying.
Pilot - Name unknown.
Oxford V3214 was built to contract B.55346/39 by The De Havilland Aircraft Co. Ltd. at Hatfield and was awaiting collection in August 1940. After a short period of MU storage it was taken on charge by the R.A.F.C. at Cranwell on 21st September 1940. It appears to have been slightly damaged when it struck a flood light on approach to land at Barkston Heath landing ground on 11th December 1940 and was probably repaired on site only to suffer an undercarriage collapse on landing at the same Barkston Heath on 25th July 1941 and again was probably repaired on site. It remained in the care of the RAF College Cranwell until 1st March 1942 when it was transferred to the care of 15 (P)AFU at Leconfield when the unit formed. As a result of the crash landing on 8th March 1942 the damage was assessed and it was deemed beyond repair with Cat.E/FA damage being recorded on the paperwork.