Jet Provost T.3a XN495 at Elvington airfield.
On Wednesday, 30th March 1983 the crew of this No.7 Flying Training School aircraft took off from Church Fenton airfield to undertake a training exercise. Part of the exercise to undertake roller landings at the former Elvington airfield which was used by Church Fenton as their relief landing ground. On board was a pupil flying with an instructor. During one of the roller landings at Elvington, the aircraft took off but at 350 feet above the ground the engine began to show thrust abnormalities. The instructor took control and turned the aircraft back toward the airfield but the aircraft lost height and would not reach the runway. The instructor then attempted to land on an old taxiway but as the undercarriage was being lowered the right wing struck the ground and broke off. The aircraft then slid on it's belly for some distance across the airfield. The aircraft was badly damaged and the two pilots suffered injuries. A short circuit in a switch used to start the engine had activated the engine start cycle and caused the thrust differences.
Pilot - Name unknown.
Pilot - Name unknown.