Halifax NR282 at Marston Moor airfield.
Just before 00.50hrs on 10th March 1945 the crew of this 1652 Heavy Conversion Unit were to begin a training flight, as the aircraft picked up speed down the runway the port inner engine and then the starboard outer engine both failed. Unfortunately another aircraft, Halifax LK786, had become un-movable after swinging off the runway and bursting a tyre earlier in the night. This aircraft was well off the line of the runway being used for take off by later aircraft and was being worked on by at least two members of ground crew who were trying to change a wheel so that it could be moved away. Halifax NR282 swung off the runway and was still travelling at around 100 mph when it crashed into Halifax LK786. Both aircraft caught fire and sadly the two members of ground crew were killed. All members of the aircrew of NR282 sustained injuries, the most severely injured received second degree burns to his hands after he forgot to bring his gloves to the aircraft prior to the flight beginning, with the station records stating that had he worn gloves he would probably have escaped injury.
AC1 Donald McMillan RAFVR (1269034), aged 36, of Campbeltown. Buried Kilkerran Cemetery, Campbeltown, Argyll.
LAC Leslie John Cook RAFVR (1541354), aged 22, of Bradford. Buried Bowling Cemetery, Bradford, Yorkshire (2/101).
Pilot - F/Sgt G Downton RAFVR (1319833). Injured.
? - Sgt E A Westall. Injured.
? - Sgt G R Sexton. Injured.
? - Sgt A L W Pitt. Injured.
? - Sgt R Matthewson. Injured.
Air Gunner - Sgt T D Denholm.
Air Gunner - Sgt A Usher.