Piper PA-25-235 Pawnee D G-BENL (Photo via Jim Rutland).
On the 10th of July 1985 this aircraft was taking off tugging a glider when the engine on the tug failed. As the tug
descended the glider pilot cast off. The tug then crashed into trees below the airfield injuring the pilot slightly, the
Fire Brigade and Forestry Commision were soon on the scene and took care of the fuel spilage, the aircraft had just refueled
before taking off. The glider managed to use the bit of height it had gained and landed next to the Helmsley to Thirsk road.
The tug pilot was back in the air the same day as was the passenger in the glider who was on a gliding holiday with his father.
It was thought that the aircraft's reinforced cockpit had saved the pilots life.
The aircraft was built by The Piper Aircraft Corporation and first registered in 1976 as N548923 in the U.S.A. It was
first registered in the UK on 1st March 1977 to Farm Aviation Servces Ltd at Enstone Airfield. It was later registered to
Yorkshire Gliding Club (Pty) Ltd, at Sutton Bank on 7th January 1983. Its registration eventually cancelled as PWFU on 7th December 1990
and used for spares at Old Buckenham.
Pilot of the tug aircraft - Mr Alistair Cook, aged 24, of Oxfordshire, sustained shock and cuts to his leg.
Pilot of glider - Mr Nick Wood, the Yorkshire Gliding Club's assistant gliding instructor, ok.
Passenger in glider - Mr James Robinson, aged 18, of Moffat, Scotland.
Crash site not yet located and visited.