On 19th August 1943 the crew of this 432 Squadron aircraft had been undertaking a night time Bullseye training flight, this involved navigating to a UK town or city and making a simulated bombing run on a target. On their return to their base of Skipton on Swale airfield the aircraft overshot at 03.45hrs but overshot, the starboard engine failed to pick up and he was left with little option but to force land the aircraft close to the airfield beside the Skipton to Baldersby road near Skipton Bridge. The aircraft was badly damaged and written off but the crew escaped injury.
Pilot - Sgt William Charles Alfred Pay RAFVR (1321761).
4 Crew - Names unknown.
Someone of the same name crashed what appears to have been a Hind K6630 on 15th July 1937 in a thunderstorm at Kirby Bellars, Leicestershire.
Sgt Pay later converted to flying Lancasters with 432 Squadron and was involved in a mid-air collision piloting Lancaster DS792 on 19th December 1943 but was able to land safely at East Moor. William Pay received his commission on 31st January 1944 (171335) to P/O on probation (emergency). After completing twenty four operational flights with 432 Squadron; six on Wellingtons and eighteen on Lancasters, P/O Pay and most of his crew were posted out in March 1944. He was awarded the DFC for service with 432 Squadron, Gazetted on 21st April 1944, the citation reads.. "This officer is a skilful and courageous pilot, whose keenness and determination have been inspiring. He has completed a very large number of sorties, most of which have been against heavily defended targets such as Berlin, Hanover, Frankfurt and Stuttgart. His achievements have been noteworthy." He rose to F/O (war subs) on 31st July 1944 and survived the War.