Halifax DT777 damaged in the air, landed at Linton on Ouse airfield.
During the afternoon of 9th April 1943 this 78 Squadron Halifax was flown on a training flight that involved some degree of authorized low flying. While flying very low the aircraft clipped a tree in the Cottam area of the Yorkshire Wolds. Some minor damage occurred and this caused the throttle control on the port outer engine to jam so the propeller was feathered and the engine shut down. The pilot remained in control and a safe landing was made at base of Linton on Ouse at 16.45hrs. The damage was repaired in thirty six hours.
Pilot - Sgt Frank Williams RAFVR (1233911).
Halifax DT777 was built to contract B.982938/39 by English Electric Co. Ltd. at Samlesbury and was taken on charge by 78 Squadron at Linton on Ouse on 29th January 1943. It appears to have had an uneventful life until hitting a tree in flight on 9th April 1943 in the Cottam area. A safe landing was then made and Cat.A/FA damage was quickly repaired in 36 hours. It then sustained minor damage on 15th April 1943 in a mid-air collision that saw minor Cat.A/FB damage be the damage assessment. The aircraft was repaired on site and returned to 78 Squadron use. On 14th May 1943 it was being flown on Ops to Bochum when it was abandoned in the Cologne area. One member of the crew was killed while six became PoWs. Cat.E(m) damage was recorded on the paperwork and it was struck off charge on 18th May 1943 having clocked up a total of 176.25 flying hours.