Halifax BB427 at Riccall airfield.
During the afternoon of the 17th April 1944 this 1658 Heavy Conversion Unit aircraft was used to fly a training exercise that included practicing landing with one engine shut down. At 14.15hrs the trainee pilot attempted to land the aircraft at Riccall with one engine shut down but bounced. The instructor immediately took over control and attempted to apply power to remain airborne and fly another circuit of the airfield. This was initially successful and the undercarriage was raised and the aircraft began to swing. Loosing control a forced landing was made some 200 yards south west of the airfield boundary at teh Barlby side of the airfield. The aircraft may well have crashed into or struck the embankment of the York to Selby railway line, the AM Form 1180 makes mention of it but is difficult to read. While the main York to Selby A19 road existed this was later moved and widened to take the course of the former / closed railway line in more recent years. The damage saw the aircraft subsequently written off.
Pilot (pupil) - F/O Willem Jacob Van Stockum RAFVR (144600). Minor injuries.
Pilot (instructor) - F/Sgt John Alwyn Phillips DFM RAFVR (1339011).