Reims Cessna F.150H G-AVZU at Gristhorpe.
On 4th July 1988 the crew of this aircraft were undertaking a training flight from the Norfolk and Norwich Aero Club airfield at Swanton Morley with the intention of flying to Newcastle. They flew the first section of the flight without issue but poor weather further north began to affect flying. Heading north from Flamborough to Scarborough the aircraft was flown just offshore. The weather and visibility got progressively worse the further north they flew and because of this the pilot reduced height over the sea. Once in the Scarborough area the pilot decided to turn around and attempt to make a landing at Grindale airfield, near Bridlington. To reach this airfield he would need to climb signifantly which would have made his visibility worse. The visibility and coupled with knowing that two tall radio masts were in his general area, he opted to make a forced landing on lower ground near Magdalane Grange Farm, near Gristhorpe, between Scarborough and Filey. This landing was done in a stubble field without damage to the aircraft. The two men waited for the weather to improve and then attempted to take off from the field at 14.56hrs. As they then picked up speed, the bumpy nature of the field combined with the wind having changed direction prevented the aircraft from becoming airborne. As it headed toward the field boundary the pilot was able to lift most of the aircraft over the fence but the tail clipped it. It then crashed into an ajoining barley field which caused some damage to the aircraft. Both men were uninjured and remained with the aircraft overnight before it was removed and taken back to Norwich for repair.
At the time of this incident the aircraft was registered to Mr Ernest John Roy McDowell, of Halstead, Essex. He was the chairman of the Toymaster group. Whether it was leased to the Norwich and Norfolk Aero Club at the time of the mishap at Gristhorpe is not known.
Instructor Pilot - Mr Nicholas Scott.
Trainee Pilot - Mr Roy Foster.