Halifax MZ535 at Rufforth airfield.
During the afternoon of 22nd March 1945 this 1663 Heavy Conversion Unit aircraft this was to be flown on a training flight that would have seen the trainee pilot fly his first solo flight in the Halifax type. At 17.04hrs the aircraft picked up speed on the runway at Rufforth airfield the aircraft swung to starboard and left the runway. The pilot managed to regain control and correct the swing but the aircraft was well off line with the runway, it crossed the perimeter track and struck some form of obstruction. The aircraft came to rest with the undercarriage collapsed, resulting from the collision but was probably already damaged as a result of the initial swing. One member of the crew sustained minor injuries.
Pilot - P/O D N Jones RCAF (J/92859).