This incident may not have been at Neasham airfield (ie, Croft) but at Neasham village. What was previously known as Croft airfield had it's name changed to Neasham in the 1950s, this airfield was in Yorkshire and the training units based at nearby Middleton St.George used it as a relief landing ground. Neasham village is on the north bank of the River Tees and was in County Durham at the time. The flying accident is mentioned in local newspapers which refer to the incident as being at Neasham, near Darlington, being on a hillside and no mention of it being at the airfield. Historian Jim Rutland gives the location as being near Neasham Hall Farm. I therefore feel that it occurred in County Durham but have created this webpage until I find definitive proof.
On 14th October 1955 this 4 Flying Training School suffered engine failure on take off. The aircraft lost height and the pilot made a belly landing in a field near Neasham. The aircraft ran through a hedge, crossed a pasture, ran through second hedge and stopped on a hillside. It also killed a sheep. The damage that resulted saw the aircraft written off.
Pilot (Instructor) - S/Ldr Gordon Stanley Chalmers RAF (131146).
Pilot (Pupil) - P/O Brian John Windsor RAF (2620209).