During the late evening of 11th October 1942 Halifax W7853 landed at Topcliffe airfield, this aircraft had landed but had not yet cleared the runway when 405 Squadron W1240 then landed at 23.12hrs and ran into the back of W7853. W7853 was unlit but the main responsibility was the error of flying control to allow permission for W1240 land, then allowing permission for W7853 to land without cancelling W1240 first. Both aircraft sustained minor damage. Exactly who was piloting which aircraft is not clear on the AM Form 1180.
Pilot - F/Sgt Nathaniel Denver Daggett RCAF (R/58699).
Pilot - Sgt Borden Carrick Dennison RCAF (R/91838).
Halifax W1240 was built to contract B.982938/39 by English Electric Co.Ltd. at Samlesbury. On 1st August 1942 it was taken on charge by 405 Squadron at Topcliffe. On 19th September 1942 while taxying at Topcliffe the tail plane struck an air raid shelter and was slightly damaged, Cat.A/FA damage was the damage assessment and swift repair was carried out on site. As a result of a collision at Topcliffe on 11th October 1942 minor Cat.Ac/FA damage was the damage assessment and it was repaired on site. On completion of repair on 30th January 1943 the aircraft was returned to 405 Squadron. It then transferred to 1659 Heavy Conversion Unit at Topcliffe on 4th April 1943. On 3rd September 1943 it was badly damaged following a belly landing at Topcliffe, after which Cat.E/FA damage was the damage assessment and it was struck off charge on 13th September 1943.
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