Hornet F.3 PX333 at Acaster Malbis airfield.

On 23rd August 1949 the pilot of this 41 Squadron aircraft undertook a training exercise that involved shutting down one engine to practice flying on just a single engine. 41 Squadron were based at Church Fenton but the pilot appears to have been using the disused airfield at Acaster Malbis to undertake the practice. Exactly what he was doing over the airfield is not known. He may have been practicing single engines approaches and flying single engine overshoots, rather than actually making a landing there, though that could be possible also. On the approach to land the aircraft lost power on the running engine and the other engine that was feathered would not restart. The pilot attempted an emergency landing at Acaster Malbis but overshot, it struck a number of objects before passing through a hedge. Acaster Malbis airfield was located at the side of the River Ouse and the aircraft ended up on the river bank. The pilot, who was only posted to 41 Squadron on 15th August 1949, sustained injuries that saw him spend several weeks in hospital. The photograph above shows the Hornet PX333 some time after the mishap and probable during the salvage operation.

Pilot - F/O A M Andrew (probably F/O Austin Malcolm Andrew RAF (202623)). Seriously injured.