Jodel D.112 Club G-BAWM at Starbeck, Harrogate.
Around the date of this incident there was some local opposition to an airstrip on land owned by Allen's Farm, Bogs Lane, Starbeck. At around 18.00hrs on Saturday, 25th May 1974 this aircraft crashed into a field adjacent to Peterhof bungalow, on Bilton Hall Lane. The accident would appear to have occurred almost immediately after it had taken off from the Starbeck airstrip site, where the pilot had based the aircraft and it occurred close to the airstrip. The description of the damage given in local newspapers would suggest it was badly damaged despite the pilot only suffering minor injuries.
Pilot - Mr Richard Clive Duggleby. Injured.
This aircraft was registered to Mr Nigel Hedley and Mr Douglas Collinson, Trustees of the Wearside Flying Association. The June 1974 Yorkshire Air News newsletter states it was owned by Mr Duggleby and that he based it at the Starbeck airstrip. Whether rented it from the Weardale Flying Association or he had recently bought it but not yet registered it is not known. Soon after this Mr Duggleby it is stated in Yorkshire Air News newsletters that he bought Minicah G-BCER and intended to base it at a site at North Rigton.
The month after this incident there was a council planning application meeting in respect of the landing strip and also an associated building. Planning was refused and the owners were ordered to close the airstrip.