Chipmunk at Bagby Airstrip.

The Chipmunk in its RAF marking earlier in its life as WK638.

The Chipmunk crashed on the 22nd of August 1999 at Bagby Airstrip, south of Thirsk at 11.04 hrs. The aircraft was made in 1952. On this day the aircraft was on a private training flight with two crew on board, they were to carry out local flying involving aerobatics. The aircraft owner was seated in the front seat and was the handling pilot, he held a Private Pilot's Licence, in the rear seat was an experienced aerobatics pilot. As the aircraft taxied down the runway the left side of the engine cowling opened and flapped up slightly. The pilot noticed this but as he had not enough runway left to stop safely so he continued with the take off and he then reduced power when they were airborne. The reduction in power combined with a left turn prevented the cowling from flapping up. The aircraft circuited and began its approach to land, at between 5 to 10 foot above the runway the engine stalled and the left wing dropped and struck the ground hard which caused it to bend up. The left wheel was also bent in the landing where upon the aircraft nosed up on end bending the propeller. The pilot in the front seat banged his head but was not seriously injured, both men exited the aircraft normally.