On 10th December 1942 this 1656 Heavy Conversion Unit aircraft was used on a dual instruction training flight with an instructor and a pupil pilot. On landing at Lindholme after a thirty minute flight at 10.45hrs the aircraft bounced and the nose rose higher than the tail. The tail of the aircraft then landed first and the tail oleo collapsed.
Pilot (instructor) - P/O Clifford Foderingham DFC RCAF (J/15718).
Pilot (pupil) - Sgt William Bell RAFVR (1134764).
Crew - Names unknown.
Halifax V9983 was built to contract B.982938/39 by English Electric Co.Ltd. at Samlesbury. It was taken on charge by 35 Squadron at Linton on Ouse on 9th November 1941 where it carried the squadron code 'TL-N'. After a short time with 12 MU in Spring 1942 it was transferred to 103 Squadron at Elsham Wolds on 28th June 1942 when the unit converted from Wellington MkIc's to Halifax MkII. In November 1942 it was transferred to 1656 Heavy Conversion Unit at Lindholme and as a result of the damage sustained on 10th December 1942 minor Cat.Ac/FA damage resulted, it was repaired on site at Lindholme and returned to 1656 H.C.U. on 12th January 1943. The aircraft was transferred to 1662 H.C.U. at Blyton on 18th March 1943. On 7th February 1944 it crashed near Haxey, Lincolnshire which resulted in Cat.E2/FA damage being recorded and it was written off. It was struck off charge on 21st February 1944.
The pilot may have been a Sgt Bell who was posted to 101 Squadron on 3rd February 1943.
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