Halifax NA519 damaged on take off from Elvington, landed at Carnaby airfield.
During the evening of 8th August 1944 this 347 Squadron aircraft was to have been used on an operational flight to bomb a target at Fromental. The take off from Elvington airfield at 18.55hrs was normal but as the aircraft left the ground and the crew pushed the lever to raise the undercarriage slightly too early, the pilot also accidentally pushed the main control column forward resulting in the aircraft loosing height. As the aircraft so low to the ground the partly retracted port undercarriage leg and also the port outer propeller struck the ground. The pilot was able to remain in control and continue with the take off but the crew were then unable to raise or properly lower the port leg. After contacting flying control to make them aware of the problem they were diverted to the emergency landing strip at Carnaby were they landed 36 minutes after taking off at 19.30hrs. The damaged undercarriage leg appears to have held up on landing so the aircraft was not further damaged.
Pilot - Lt C Lau FFAF (001077).
Navigator - Lt A Schlegel FFAF (001087).
Air Bomber - S/C H Dabiton FFAF (1449).
Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Adj M Leclaire FFAF (C.2135).
Flight Engineer - Sgt J Beguet FFAF (C.15530).
Air Gunner - Adj A Giraudin FFAF (C.15612).
Air Gunner - S/C Defelio FFAF (R.381).