Prior to this incident a 66 Squadron Sabre suffered engine problems in the air and the pilot, F/O Thornton, was unable to make a return to his home airfield at Linton on Ouse. He made a landing at Driffield airfield where the problem was investigated. The aircraft required some new spark plugs which also required some adapters so another 66 Squadron pilot was briefed to fly the parts from Linton on Ouse over to Driffield airfield on 16th March 1955. While flying in the circuit of Driffield airfield it appears that the Sabre made a tight turn to line up for making an approach to land but the turn was too tight. The aircraft stalled and there wasn't enough height left for the pilot to recover the aircraft. It partly levelled out then dived into the ground at the edge of Kirkburn village killing the pilot. It crashed into the embankment of a stream that runs through village and exploded. Trees, hedges and a section of the stream bank caught fire but despite it being so close to properties in the village there were no civilian injuries. This incident was yet another near miss for the village in respect of crashing aeroplanes.

Pilot - F/O Harry Armstrong RAF (3021044), aged 29. Buried Canonbie Churchyard, Dumfrieshire.