Lancaster LM391 fell apart in the air, landed at Dishforth airfield.

For a brief time in Autumn 1944 1664 Heavy Conversion Unit formed a flight for the conversion training of aircrew to fly the Lancaster type, this appears to have been known as the Lancaster Finishing Flight (possibly locally rather than in any official form) so used a few Lancasters rather than the regular Halifaxes. During the afternoon of 13th September 1944 this 1664 Heavy Conversion Unit aircraft was being flown on a fighter affiliation exercise. This flight appears to have been made with three very able pilots who were all DFC holders having previously flown operationally on Lancasters. The captain of the aircraft was posted to command the Lancaster part of the 1664 H.C.U. training and while I have yet to locate any detailed information I think that fighter affiliation techniques were being compared so that their methods would be the same across all Lancaster Finishing Schools. While taking normal evasive action the starboard wing tip fell off the aircraft. The pilot remained in control and forty five minutes after taking off he landed safely at Dishforth at 15.45hrs. All eight on board were very lucky to survive with none sustaining injuries. An investigation found that the wing tip fell off because of a manufacturing defect. 38 nuts that attached bolts through to the main plane from the wingtip were missing and had not been fitted during manufacture.

Pilot (at controls) - S/Ldr James Gardner Stewart DFC RCAF (J/10959).

Pilot - F/Lt Harry Siberry Shortt DFC RCAF (J/16511).

Pilot - F/O Gordon Sheppard Milne DFC RCAF (J/19630).

Five crew - Names unknown.