Wellington DF620 at Topcliffe airfield.
On 7th February 1943 this 426 Squadron aircraft was in the process of being air-tested when the throttle control of the starboard engine jammed fully open. The crew were directed to land at Topcliffe but as the aircraft approached to make a landing the port engine cut out. The aircraft crashed in the undershoot area at 12.30hrs with the undercarriage down but landed heavily, the port undercarriage collapsed. The aircraft then skidded to a halt amongst some small trees and was badly damaged.
Pilot - Sgt A Howard Steen RCAF (R/103234), of Kitchener, Ontario, Canada.
Crew - Names unknown.
Sgt Steen continued to fly with 426 Squadron until 23rd April 1943 when he was posted to 420 Squadron. There was a pilot Sgt A H Steen flying with 432 Squadron in May and June 1943 and he was almost certainly the same pilot. He received his commission in either September or October 1943. He survived the War.
Wellington DF620 was built to contract B92439/40 by Vickers Armstrong's Ltd. at Squires Gate. It was received by 44 MU on 15th July 1942 and was taken on charge by 426 Squadron at Dishforth on 23rd October 1942. As a result of the crash on 7th February 1943 Cat.E2/FA damage was the damage assessment and it was written off. It was struck off charge on 16th February 1943.