Sea Prince T.1 WP312 near Cliffe.
On Tuesday, 2nd March 1971 this Royal Navy Detachment Flight aircraft was descending prior to landing at Church Fenton airfield and was flying in the Selby area when it collided in the air with a No.1 Flying Training School Jet Provost XW300 in the Cliffe area. The Jet Provost struck the Sea Prince from below and also on the blind side of the latter pilot's position. The impact cut off the Jet Provost's tailplane and both aircraft immediately dived into the ground close to the bank of the River Ouse near Turnham Hall, Cliffe. The airmen in the Jet Provost must have been incapacitated as neither would appear to have attempted to eject. The Sea Prince crashed into an area of trees while the Jet Provost crashed into a ploughed field. None of the airmen in either aircraft survived.
The Sea Prince had high wings with very large engines that were close to the cockpit windows. It was stated that the pilot of this aircraft probably could not have seen the Jet Provost from his position in the aircraft and that he should have had someone flying with him to act as lookout on the blind side of the aircraft. It was a prefectly clear day at the time of the collision so it was also thought that the Jet Provost may also have been flying toward the sun that could have caused it's pilots some difficulties in visibility. The collision occurred on the blind side of the Sea Prince.
Pilot - Commander David John Dunbar-Dempsey RN. Aged 37. Buried Royal Naval Cemetery, Yeovilton (F.5).