Halifax JB853 at Riccall airfield.
Just after midnight on 14th May 1944 this 1658 Heavy Conversion Unit Halifax JB875 was being taxied around Riccall airfield when there appears to have been a problem with one of the engines. On board was an instructor with a trainee crew. The aircraft was stopped close to the control tower while the problem was looked at. Here the pupil pilot mistakenly switched off the external lighting on the aircraft and the instructor was not aware of what had happened. Halifax JB853 was taxying around the airfield a shirt time later and the crew could not see Halifax JB875. The result was JB853 taxied into JB875 causing minor damage to both aircraft.
Pilot (instructor) - F/O Wilfred Eric Elder RNZAF (NZ.416101).
Trainee crew - Names unknown.