Halifax JB789 at Linton on Ouse airfield.
During the evening of 22nd May 1943 this 158 Squadron aircraft was flown on a cross country training exercise. During the flight the aircraft developed a coolant leak in the starboard outer engine. Having made their home airfield aware of the problem and owing to bad visibility the crew were eventually diverted to land at Linton on Ouse airfield. At 21.00hrs the aircraft landed at Linton on Ouse but overshot and was slightly damaged. The starboard outer engine appears to have sustained the most damage, probably down to it overheating through the lack of glycol. The crew of this aircraft were new to 158 Squadron and had only been posted in from 1663 Heavy Conversion Unit on 19th May 1943.
Pilot - Sgt Archie Vernon Hardy RCAF (R/121529).
Halifax JB789 was built to contract ACFT/1808/C4 by English Electric Company Ltd. at Samlesbury and was flown to 18 M.U. at Dumfries on 1st March 1943. On 4th May 1943 the aircraft was taken on charge by 158 Squadron at Lissett and carried the squadron code "NP-X". As a result of overshooting on landing at Linton on Ouse on 22nd May 1943 Cat.A/FA damage was the assessment and this saw a repair on site being made. The aircraft was returned to 158 Squadron charge in June 1943 but was re-coded "NP-V". On 19th September 1943 the aircraft was transferred to 1658 Heavy Conversion Unit at Riccall. On 10th May 1944 it flew into the spire of St.James Church, Selby and crashed killing a number of civilians. The aircraft was destroyed, with Cat.E2/FA damage being the damage assessment. The aircraft was then struck off charge on 17th May 1944.