Luton LA-4A Minor G-AWIP near Holme on Spalding Moor.
During the afternoon of Wednesday, 20th July 1988 this aircraft took off from an airstrip at Sproatley, near Hull. Around twenty five minutes after taking off and while flying at 1600 feet in the Market Weighton area the engine cut out. Descending and while trying to land at Harswell, near Holme on Spalding Moor the pilot was forced to make a turn to avoid some trees. The aircraft lost speed and the pilot was unable to level out the wings before the aircraft touched down in a field containing a standing crop of barley. The right wing hit the ground first which caused it to cartwheel. It came to rest extensively damaged and the pilot received minor injuries. The cause of the engine failure was investigated and the fuel filter was found to be blocked by fragments of sealant that had been applied to the tank in the past and that had come adrift.
The Hull Daily Mail newspaper reported that the 45 year old pilot, residing at Melton, stated he owned the aircraft and that this was his fourth crash landing (possibly in this aircraft). According to G-INFO, its registered owner was Mr John Houghton, of Kirk Sandall, and it was registered to him since January 1980.
Pilot - Mr Ben Gunn. Injured.