Halifax LK684 at Topcliffe airfield.
During the evening of 20th May 1944 this 1659 Heavy Conversion Unit aircraft was used to fly a circuits and landings training exercise. After fifteen minutes of flight the aircraft landed at Topcliffe at 19.00hrs but immediately swung to port which the pilot did not correct soon enough. The aircraft then ground looped and the undercarriage collapsed. It came to rest some 75 yards from the runway with fairly serious damage. One member of the crew sustained injuries and was admitted to Northallerton's Friarage Hospital. He later rejoined this crew and served with 428 Squadron. Both he and the pilot then sustained injuries in August 1944 for which the pilot was awarded a CGM for his actions on their first operational flight.
Pilot - Sgt Robert Burton Maxwell RCAF (R/165426).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt J G K Feasby RCAF (R/183941). Injured.