Taylorcraft Auster Mk.IV, 658(AC) Squadron, RAF Collyweston
crashed Otterburn, Northumberland on 10th April 1944
Crew
| Position | Rank/Title | Full Name | Age | Service Number | Injury |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pilot | Captain | Arthur David Cover | 140416 | Minor |
Accident Details
The aircraft was on detachment from RAF Collyweston and taking part in artillery shoots on the Redesdale Range. The flight had travelled up to RAF Catterick from RAF Collyweston on the 2nd April, but owing to bad weather they didn’t arrive at Otterburn until 7th.
Operating from a temporary landing ground near Otterburn, the aircraft took off at 12:00 hrs, but 20 minutes later, when attempting to land in a field to the east of Otterburn, the aircraft overshot and Captain Cover braked hard to stop the aircraft running into the field boundary, as a result the aircraft tipped over onto its back and suffered minor damage.
The Crash Site
There is no local knowledge of this crash and official records only give the location as 1 1/2 miles east of Otterburn, which puts it in the fields near the road to Elsdon. There are certainly several fields in this area in which a small aircraft, such as the Auster, could put down.
