Jet Provost XM469 near Strensall.
On Friday, 5th May 1961 this Jet Provost was being flown on a training flight with No.1 Flying Training School when, at 8000 feet, the aircraft entered a spin from which the pilot was unable to recover. With control being lost the instructor ordered his pupil to eject before ejecting himself and they landed about three miles from where the aircraft came down. The wreckage caught fire but the local fire brigade were soon on the scene and covered it in foam. The two airmen were picked up and driven back to Linton on Ouse by their Commanding Officer. The local York newspaper stated that the aircraft crashed into a cornfield between Strensall and Lilling. A location provided in the accident report plots to between Strensall and Lilling, this was searched by Eric Barton and I in 2007 but we found nothing. Having worked with someone who's partner lived near the railway level crossing on Strensall Common, they were adament that the aircraft crashed into woodland next to the railway line.
Pilot (Instructor) - F/Lt William Arthur Langworthy RAF (3516420).
Pilot (Instructor) - MSn Colin Anthony Skillett RN.
His brother served with distinction in the RAF as a helicopter pilot and was awarded the DFC for service in the Falkland Isalnds conflict, although not connected to this incident near Strensall at all.. his brothers Citation is worthy of inclusion and reads.. "Squadron Leader Langworthy was on board MV NORLAND and latterly HMS FEARLESS anchored in San Carlos Water during the period 21st-26th May 1982. On 25th May, MV ATLANTIC, CONVEYOR was hit and destroyed by an enemy attack. All of No 18 Squadron's assets, less one Chinook helicopter, were destroyed. This remaining aircraft ZA718 was flown to San Carlos Water. A small detachment under the command of Squadron Leader Langworthy was put ashore on 27th May to operate this one aircraft in support of land and sea operations. The Detachment possessed no field deployment equipment and operated initially from "fox holes". Permanent accommodation and messing were subsequently established at Port San Carlos Settlement. Despite a total lack of aircraft spares, ZA718 was flown continuously in support of the battle from 27th May until the cease fire. On 30th May, Squadron Leader Langworthy was briefed to move 3 x 105 mm light guns (two internal plus one external), 85 men and 22 tonnes of ammunition to Mount Kent. The move was to take place at night using Passive Night Goggles Techniques. The intelligence briefing was vague, but it was assessed that the enemy was in position on Mount Kent and additionally had Company positions at Estancia House. The first load of 3 x 105 mm light guns plus 22 men took 1\ hours to load. The transit proved uneventful despite severe snow showers in the area. The drop point briefed as a flat plateau, proved to be a sloping rock river with flattish areas and adjacent deep gullies. Full operation of the rear cabin ramp proved difficult over such terrain and the off-loading took 40 minutes. This was achieved without lights and further complicated by intercom failure on the aircraft. While not directly engaged by enemy fire, the general area in which the aircraft had landed was subject to fire. On completion of the off-loading the aircraft was recovered in appalling weather conditions of heavy snow. The aircraft radio altimeter failed and the aircraft struck the sea causing some minor damage. Squadron Leader Langworthy recovered the situation and the aircraft was recovered to its operating base without further mishap."
William Langworthy was born in April 1935 and was an identical twin, as a child he attended Exeter Grammar School. He and his brother Richard had joined the RAF together in 1952 and after initial training they were both posted to 73 Squadron. His brother became a helicopter pilot whilst Bill Langworthy became a jet pilot and instructor. Bill Langworthy flew as part of the Central Flying School aerobatic display team the Red Pelicans, flying Jet Provost T.4's. He was part of a team which included team manager S/Ldr Paul Worthington, team leader F/Lt Terry Lloyd, and pilot's F/Lt Brian Nice, Dennis Southern, Bert Lane and Eric Pilsley. On 11th June 1966 he was awarded the Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air. In the 1970s he was part of a team working at BAe Warton with the SEPECAT Jaguar project and he later flew the Jaguar with the RAF in Germany for a long period of time ejecting twice from the aircraft type. Bill Langworthy was awarded the AFC while in the rank of S/Ldr, Gazetted on 12th June 1982. He later returned to the UK and to Linton on Ouse to fly Jet Provosts again and later as a civilian to Linton on Ouse to instruct in the Tucano simulator. He retired to Stamford Bridge, Yorkshire and upon his death in January 2006 his ashes were buried in the village churchyard. I thank his eldest son for contacting me in April 2013.
Colin Skillett was born on 21st September 1941 in Guernsey. While he learned to fly with the Fleet Air Arm he became a civilian airline pilot. He died in December 2015.