At 11.20hrs on the 3rd of Feb 1943 the crew of this Wellington set out on a navigation exercise. just over three hours into the flight the starboard engine began to develop problems and then caught fire in mid-air. The pilot could not maintain height so a force landing was attempted in a field near Skerry Hall Farm, Robin Hoods Bay at 14.30hrs. The crew of survived although four were injured. The aircraft sustained damage enough to write it off.
The aircraft was built to contract 124362/40 by Vickers Armstrongs Ltd at Chester and delivered to the RAF in September 1942 and issued to 25 OTU at Finningley shortly after acceptance. 25 OTU ceased operating on 7th January 1943 and all their aircraft were transferred to either 27 OTU or 30 OTU by 1st February 1943 when 25 OTU disbanded. The aircraft suffered damage serious enough for it to be written off in the incident detailed above, Cat E2/FA damage being sustained.
Pilot - Sgt J King RAF, unhurt. He had 140 hours flying to his name, 50 hours of which were on the Wellington.
Nav - Sgt Payne RAF, injured.
Rest of crew - Unknown.
I do not known where the aircraft came down exactly.