Halifax DG278 near Gale Farm, Newton on Derwent.
During the morning of 23rd February 1944 this 1664 Heavy Conversion Unit aircraft was flown on a practice bombing exercise. Which range the crew were practing over is not yet known though Strensall Range is possible. During the flight the starboard inner engine cut out and the propeller was featured. A short time later the starboard outer engine then failed and the aircraft began to loose height. Being unable to maintain height the crew appear to have been trying to reach Pocklington airfield but could not make it. A belly landing was made in a field near Gale Farm, around a mile east of Newton on Derwent and three miles west of Pocklington airfield. The first engine failure occurred because of a coolant leak but the cause of the second engine failure was not determined as it may have been done to the crew error in making wrong control or fuel cock settings.
Pilot - F/Sgt Joseph Vernon Irvine RCAF (R/80609).