During the morning of 6th November 1952 the pilot of this 205 Advanced Flying School aircraft was briefed to carry out a high speed, high altitude training flight and then to undertake a controlled descent through cloud. The aircraft took off from Middleton St.George airfield at 08.25hrs and climbed to 30,000 feet. He undertook the run at altitude then descended through cloud back toward his base but did not obtain a course to steer prior to descending. Unfortunately he then found himself a long way south of where he thought he was which, combined with increase in cloud at lower level meant the pilot became lost. While he flew north he was unable to locate Middleton St.George. The aircraft's fuel level began to run low so the pilot switched off the starboard engine to conserve fuel and attempted to land at Topcliffe airfield. While flying the landing circuit the port engine then cut out through lack of fuel. He made a wheels up landing on the airfield.
Pilot - P/O Ralph Thomas Holdom RAF (3133797).