Spitfire AR438 at Catterick airfield.
During the evening of 12th April 1943 this 401 Squadron aircraft was flown on a local flying exercise and took off from Catterick at 20.10hrs. At 21.10hrs the pilot made an approach to land at Catterick but forgot to lower the undercarriage. A wheels-up landing was subsequently made at Catterick airfield which damaged the aircraft.
Pilot - Sgt S W Mooers RCAF (R/126083).
This pilot has suffered a flying accident at Catterick ten days prior to this one. After this second one it was recommended he be sent on fresher training. This must have seen him taken off flying fighters and he was then transferred to Bomber Command. As P/O S W Mooers RCAF (J/88172), he was posted from 1664 Heavy Conversion Unit to 415 Squadron in September 1944.