Halifax LK700 near Askham Richard.
During the night of 9th / 10th August 1944 this 1663 Heavy Conversion Unit aircraft was to have been flown on a combined fighter affiliation and practice bombing exercise. The aircraft took off from Rufforth airfield at 22.45hrs (presumably) on the north - south runway and having climbed to just 150 feet the port outer engine cut out. Unable to maintain height the pilot reduced the power to the engines and made a forced landing straight ahead in a field near Askham Richard. Two members of the crew sustained injuries. Some of the practice bombs broke loose in the bomb bay and started a fire in the aircraft which was deemed beyond repair once an assessment was made. In reading numerous AM Form 1180s such an engine failure usually saw the propeller feathered and the crew attempting to return to the airfield, LK700 did not do this. Perhaps the height at which the engine failed was too low to fly a circuit of the airfield so the pilot opted to land it straight ahead. The pilot and his crew were posted to 346 Squadron after completing their training.
Pilot - Adj Lucien G L Mabille FFAF (5312).