Peak District Air Accident Research

de Havilland Hornet F. Mk.1 PX244 of 41 Squadron, RAF, crashed at Radbourne near Derby on the 4th November 1948

While at 8000ft on a "Calibration flight + aerobatics" from Church Fenton both engines cut.  The pilot attempted a forced landing but before slowing, the aircraft ploughed through a hedge losing its undercarriage, it slewed around losing an engine before coming to a halt facing the direction it had approached in.

P.II George was later mentioned in despatches twice (once while at the rank of Flt Sgt and again while at Master Pilot) for service in Malaya and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal before being promoted to F/O and then to Flt Lt.

A general view of the crash site, very little remains of the aircraft today, not surprising considering how intact the aircraft was after the crash.

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