Halifax R9392 at Melbourne airfield.
On 5th March 1943 the crew of this aircraft were undertaking a training flight with 1658 Heavy Conversion Unit. At 16.43hrs the aircraft was being landed at Melbourne airfield when it bounced on the port wheel, then the starboard wheel, swung to starboard and the undercarriage collapsed.
Pilot - Sgt George Henry Sutton RAFVR (1384354).
Halifax R9392 was built to contract 692649/37 by Handley Page Ltd. at Radlett. On 17th January 1942 it was taken on charge 35 Squadron at Linton on Ouse. 35 Squadron certainly never used the aircraft operationally and just days later on 25th January 1942 it was transferred to 10 Squadron at Leeming where it was coded "ZA-A". It was first used operationally by 10 Squadron on 11th February 1942 and lastly on 3rd March 1942. It may have arrived at 10 Squadron as new and missed out ever being with 35 Squadron. The aircraft later moved to 10 Conversion Flight at Leeming on 19th March 1942 and moved with them to Melbourne on 26th August 1942. On 7th October 1942 10 C.F. was absorbed into 1658 Heavy Conversion Unit at Riccall. On 3rd January 1943 it was deemed requiring a repair on site by Handley Page, the repair was begun on site by Handley Page but it was then found to be beyond the on site repair and to be in need of a repair in works. It was taken to the YARD repair facility on 12th January 1943 where it was made servicable. Once repaired it was returned to 1658 H.C.U. on 7th February 1943. As a result of this crash at Melbourne on 5th March 1943 the damage was assessed as being Cat.E2/FA and it was struck off charge.