Unidentified Wellington damaged at Topcliffe airfield.
On the night of 18th / 19th March 1944 the crew of this No.30 Operational Training Unit aircraft undertook a training flight. The crew were based at Hixon. While flying in Yorkshire the aircraft suffered some form of technical problem. The crew transmitted a Mayday signal and also a "Darky" request for help in landing. The problem may have been an engine failure that saw hydraulic problems. Dishforth, Leeming and Topcliffe airfields heard the requests and the aircraft went on to make an approach to land at Topcliffe but off the line of the runway in use. The crew were able lower the undercarriage by the hand pump but on making a downwind landing at Topcliffe airfield at 01.00hrs off the runway the starboard undercarriage leg collapsed. One member of the crew received minor knee injuries. The aircraft's identity is given in a No.6 Group Flying Control log as being "-O"
Crew - Names unknown.
Air Gunner - Sgt C J Wright RCAF (R/175841). Injured.