Unidentified Slingsby T.6 Kirby Kite glider at Linton on Ouse airfield.

On Wednesday, 27th July 1949 a member of the No.12 Group Gliding Club was in the process of being winch-launched at Linton on Ouse airfield when it climbed to 100ft then yawned to starboard. The pilot did not release the cable until it had managed to climb to 800ft but it then entered a spiral dive and crashed. The pilot was taken to hospital where he died the following day. Newspapers state that the pilot died of his injuries at York's city hospital, printed in the papers dated 29th July 1949 stating "yesterday", ie 28th July 1949. His gravestone agrees with this. His death is recorded on various websites including government generated ones as being on 27th July 1949 but would appear to be incorrect. The pilot was originally from Byfleet, Surrey and had been serving at Linton on Ouse airfield as an equipment officer for more than at year at the time of his death. He was a member of the gliding club.

Pilot - F/Lt Walter George Dent RAF (182932), aged 46. Buried Newton on Ouse Churchyard, Yorkshire.

Walter Dent's grave at Newton on Ouse.