Welshman Chris Pickering, now resident in France, is hoping to find out more about an aircrash close to RAF Driffield in which his late father was seriously injured.
John Henry Pickering, born 11/8/14, was flying an Avro Anson 652 when it came a cropper just short of the airfield in October 1937.
A report on the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives website states:
Circumstances: The crew was performing a local training flight at RAF Driffield. On final approach, the pilot failed to realise his altitude was too low when the aircraft hit tree tops, overturned and crashed upside down in an open field located short of runway. Both crew members were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Chris explained: "My Father John Henry Pickering was born in Gilwern near Abergavenny. His family moved to Cleveland, Ohio in the early 1920s where he grew up and was educated. He returned to Britain in approximately 1935 in order to join the RAF.
On 27/28 October he was on a training flight, possibly at night, in an Avro Anson 652 along with a another man, but my father misjudged his approach whilst landing and hit some trees. The aircraft was written off as was he (very nearly!) His passenger was injured and the verdict was that it was 'Poor judgement on part of the pilot'.
My real interest lies in discovering the identity of the second crew member; oddly my father never mentioned him at all. Anything you can do to throw some light on the matter would be greatly appreciated.
My father survived to be 93, eventually dying in February 2008. He was of the opinion that the accident probably saved his life, as the most probable outcome of the war as a bomber pilot in 1939 would be that he would be killed, so being unable to continue as aircrew could be described as a lucky escape..."
If anyone can find any more info on this crash and even name the other crew member involved, it would be much appreciated.