On 22nd August 1943 the crew of Halifax DK125 were undertaking a circuits and landings exercise with 1663 Heavy Conversion Unit and had landed at Rufforth as part of the routine. Just after dark at 22.42hrs the crew of Halifax EB195 had been given permission to take off before the crew of DK125. Halifax EB195 had then burst a tyre while taking off and stopped on the runway but ground controllers and the crew of DK125 were not initially aware of this and then began their take off run. The crew of EB195 signalled that they were stopped on the runway so ground controllers warned the crew of DK125 of the danger in the way of firing a red Verey flare but the crew of DK125 already set off down the runway, they attempted to climb over the top of EB195 and began to raise the undercarriage but it struck EB195. The undercarriage of DK125 hit the tailplane of EB195 and then cut into the port wing. The crew of EB195 had attempted to run clear and the flight engineer sustained injuries when he was hit by flying wreckage. The crew of DK125 flew a couple of circuits of the airfield and then belly landed, but overshot off the end of the runway. Halifax EB195 was repaired but Halifax DK125 was deemed too badly damage to warrant a repair.

Pilot - Sgt John Rowland Gordon-Davis RAFVR (162516). Injured.