On 2nd August 1951 504 Squadron begun a detachment to a training camp at Acklington airfield. Squadron personnel flew up nine Meteors and their Harvard from their home airfield of Wymeswold, Leicestershire and they started a series of exercises the following day which included air to air drogue gunnery exercises. The squadron's detachment lasted until 17th August 1951 when they returned to Wymeswold. Mid-way through this detachment the squadron's Harvard was to have been flown from Acklington back to Wymeswold on 10th August 1951 but the reason for this is not yet clear. The pilot may have landed at Church Fenton on the flight south. While flying in the Selby area the pilot noticed that smoke was coming from beneath the instrument panel so operated the fire extinguisher. He attempted to land on Breighton airfield which was still in use as a relief landing ground by 103 Flying Refresher School at that time but on the approach to land the engine cut out. A crash landing resulted possibly in the undershoot area which badly damaged the aircraft but both the pilot and passenger survived.
Pilot - Sgt Syd Ellis RAF.
Passenger - Cpl Bevan RAF.