Anson II G-ALXH near Guiseley.
On 9th April 1963 this aircraft took off from Yeadon airfield with the intention of it being flown to Belfast, Northern Ireland but shortly after taking off smoke was seen coming from the camera hatch near starboard wing root which began to fill the cabin. The aircraft had reached a height of 800 feet at the downwind end of the runway and to return to the airfield to land the pilot needed to fly a circuit of the airfield to the opposite end of the airfield. The pilot initially reduced power to both engines and reduced height to begin flying the leg toward the opposite end of the airfield but when he applied power prior to turning onto the approach line the starboard engine did not function and the aircraft began to loose height. The pilot realised he would not be able to make the airfield so attempted to force land in a field but noticed some overhead wires near the ground as he descended. He took evasive action to avoid these wires but then struck the ground hard and skidded into a hedge and ditch just east of Guiseley Grove, off Carlton Lane, Guiseley. The aircraft was badly damaged but the three crew survived, possibly with minor injuries. The passenger was a sixteen year old surveying photographer, stated in newspapers, to have been undertaking his first flight.
Pilot - Mr Ronald Fox.
Passenger (Navigator) - Mr John Symington.
Passenger (Photographer) - Mr Malcolm Budd.
The aircraft was owned by B.K.S. Surveys, who had their offices at Leatherhead, Surrey but also had their Technical Division office at Coleraine, Northern Ireland in the mid-1960s. They undertook aerial survey work for proposed road and housing developments including planned new towns. Which airfield they had their flying based at is unclear.
The pilot may have been a former RAF pilot W/Co Thomas Ronald Fox DFC.