Halifax W1227 at East Moor airfield.
On 18th January 1943, at 15.00hrs this 1658 Heavy Conversion Unit aircraft was taking off from East Moor airfield to be used on a dual instruction training flight when it suffered a loss of power in the port inner engine. The aircraft swung off the runway but the pilot managed to avoid hitting another parked aircraft but he was unable to stop it striking a tree, it came to a halt east of Low Carr Farm, close to the domestic site of the airfield. There were no serious injuries reported. A police reports states that there were twelve on the aircraft at the time of the accident and all were uninjured. It is not known why the aircraft was visiting East Moor.
The 1658 H.C.U. record book does not mention this incident but does state "weather u/s all day" so it appears to have not involved any form of aircrew training at the time it was damaged.
Pilot - F/O Harold Ashley Davies RAFVR (122055).
Eleven others - Names unknown.
Harold Davies was granted a commission to the rank of P/O on probation on 1st May 1942. While in the rank of F/Lt he was awarded the DFC for service with 109 Squadron, Gazetted on 13th October 1944. While still in the rank of F/Lt he was awarded a Bar to the DFC for further service with 109 Squadron, Gazetted on 16th January 1945.
Halifax W1227 was built to contract B982938/39 by English Electric Co.Ltd. at Samlesbury. The aircraft was delivered directly to 460 Squadron at Breighton on 23rd July 1942. It was then temporarily transferred to 460 Conversion Flight at Holme-on-Spalding Moor on 5th August 1942 and returned to the parent 460 Squadron on 1st October 1942. 460 Squadron commenced converting to Lancasters in October 1942 and the aircraft was transferred to 1658 H.C.U. at Riccall on 24th October 1942. It was written off following inspection following the incident at East Moor on 18th January 1943 with Cat.E2/FA damage being the damage assessment. The aircraft was struck off charge on 29th January 1943.