Jet Provost T.3a XN590 near Wheldrake.
On Thursday, 31st July 1980 this No.7 Flying Training School aircraft was flying at between 400 and 500 feet above the ground during a practice roller landing at Elvington airfield when it flew through a flock of birds. Several birds hit the aircraft and at least one was ingested into the engine. The engine was damaged and immediately lost power. Owing to the height the aircraft was at and the flying speed, the pilot was unable turn around and land at Elvington or fly back to Church Fenton where the unit was based so he ejected. The aircraft crashed into a large area of woodland around half a mile south of the airfield known as Wheldrake Wood. The pilot injured his back but survived. It later transpired that around 500 racing pigeons had been released around ten miles south of Elvington airfield and that the flight path of many would have taken them north, over the airfield. At that time there was no code of practice for the pigeon owners to notify the RAF where they were planning on making releases near airfields.
Pilot - F/Lt Dennis Robert Chapman RAF (8024769H).