Halifax BB219 at Topcliffe airfield.
During the afternoon of 12th May 1943 the runway that would have been used at Topcliffe airfield that would have seen aircraft land into the wind was temporarily blocked. This 1659 Heavy Conversion Unit aircraft was in the air at the time carrying out a training flight, radio and wireless messages were sent to the crew to divert to another airfield but these messages were not acted upon. The crew made an approach to land at Topcliffe at 15.54hrs in a cross wind. Two red verey flares were fired and a red light on an aldis light all showed that they were refused their landing but they continued to land. On landing the aircraft began to enter a swing. The aircraft headed towards a bogged down aircraft so the pilot allowed the swing to continue to avoid it but the undercarriage collapsed. The aircraft was badly damaged and was deemed beyond repair. Unfortunately the pilot and his crew were withdrawn from the course at 1659 H.C.U. after this incident and sent back to 15 O.T.U. on 15th May 1943.
Pilot - Sgt Robin George Edward Peter Freeman RAFVR (1313180).
Halifax BB219 was built to contract B.124357/40 by the London Passenger Transport Board Ltd.,at Leavesden and was taken on charge by 103 Squadron at Elsham Wolds on 29th August 1942. On 9th September 1942 it sustained Cat.Ac/FA damage in a flying incident, a repair on site commenced on 13th September 1942 and it was returned to 103 Squadron on 31st October 1942. On 11th November 1942 it was transferred to 78 Squadron at Linton on Ouse. On 23rd November 1942 the aircraft was transferred to 158 Squadron at Rufforth. On 5th December 1942 it was transferred to 1659 Heavy Conversion Unit at Leeming who moved to Topcliffe on 14th March 1943. As a result of the crash on 12th May 1943 Cat.B/FA damage was the initial assessment but on 24th May 1943 it was re-assessed as being beyond repair. Re.Cat.E damage was recorded and it was struck off charge.