Spitfire F.14 SM316 near Rawdon.

On 2nd May 1949 the pilot of this 609 Squadron aircraft was attempting to land at Yeadon airfield and had made a circuit of the airfield when the engine failed, and may also have then caught fire in the air. Being below the height to allow him to bale out he attempted to force land the aircraft around a mile south of the airfield at 19.30hrs but struck a tree then a wall. The crash saw the fuselage broken and a fire broke out. Unfortunately the pilot became trapped by his legs in the cockpit. The fate of the aircraft was seen by three boys; Eric Slater, Roger Busfield and John Laycock, who were "birds nesting" nearby, as well as a golfer playing nearby. They were able to pull the pilot from the cockpit and a short time later the fuel tank exploded. The pilot lived in Guiseley and was taken to Otley County General Hospital for treatment. He later returned to 609 Squadron and received a commission later in the year.

Pilot - P.2 John Mudd RAF (2686540). Injured.