Halifax NA497 damaged on take off from Croft airfield, landed at Carnaby airfield.
On the afternoon of 14th August 1944 this 434 Squadron aircraft was to have been flown on an operational flight to bomb a target at Falaise and took off from Croft airfield at 12.55hrs.
On take off the crew retracted the undercarriage too soon after leaving the ground, the starboard wheel struck the ground as it folded back and the starboard wheel struck the ground. This caused damage to the undercarriage mecahnism and it would not retract or extend properly, it was stuck at 45 degrees. The Halifax circled the Croft area until being ordered to fly out over the North Sea to jettison the bomb load and after using up some fuel they landed at Carnaby at 16.35hrs. The undercarriage leg held up saving the aircraft from further damage but the wheel was found to be at a 45 degree angle.
Pilot - F/Lt Danile Boyle RCAF (J/4325).
Navigator - Sgt C D Bruce RCAF (R/181380).
Air Bomber - F/O J I Jarvis RCAF (J/27383).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - WO H T Morris RCAF (R/138752).
Flight Engineer - Sgt George Russell Lee RAFVR (1593503).
Air Gunner - Sgt W B J Cook RCAF (R/224979).
Air Gunner - Sgt G J Phelps RCAF (R/169717).
Mid Under Gunner - Sgt N H McMinniman RCAF (R/267619).