Jet Provost T.3 XN504 near Rufforth.
On Thursday, 14th March 1963 this No.1 Flying Training School aircraft was being flown on a training exercise, and while turning to make a final approach to land at Rufforth airfield, the engine lost power. Both instructor and pupil pilots ejected at low height, the pupil at 300 feet and the instructor at around 200 feet. The aircraft went on to crash into a field just east of Rufforth village, a couple of fields away from the vicarage and bounced into a hedge. Both airmen sustained minor injuries as a result of their landings and were taken to hospital at York.
Pilot (Instructor) - Lt Anthony Towler Pinney RN.
Pilot (Pupil) - Lt Richard E Ward RN.
Jet Provost XN504 was built to contract KC/E/031 by Hunting Percival Ltd. at Luton and was awaiting collection on 21st December 1960. On 2nd January 1961 it went to 27 MU at Shawbury and on 1st
February 1961 it was taken on charge by No.1 Flying Training School at Linton on Ouse. A Cat.3R damage assessment was made against it on 2nd March 1962 and it was repaired on site, being returned to No.1 F.T.S.
charge on 14th March 1962. On 14th March 1963 it crashed near Rufforth. Cat.5s damage was the damage assessment, it was struck off charge on 18th March 1963 and scrapped.