Lancaster MkI PD443 at Lindholme airfield.

On 9th June 1945 this 1656 Heavy Conversion Unit aircraft was being used to dispose of either flash bombs or incendiary bombs by dumping them out to sea. At 05.30hrs while it was being loaded one of the bombs fell from the aircraft and exploded. A fire started in port inner engine nacelle which then spread. A member of ground crew (probably an armourer) was injured and admitted to hospital in Doncaster. Elsewhere it has been suggested that this incident occurred when it was being emptied after a flight that had just occurred, I find this unlikely this would occur at night time after the war.

Groundcrew / Armourer - LAC C Hardcastle. Injured.

Aircraft unoccupied.