Heyford Mk.III K6875 of No.166 Sqn RAF crashed on Broadlee Bank Tor 22nd July 1937 while on a night cross country exercise from RAF Leconfield near Beverley

 

Newton William Baker Sergeant Pilot Killed
Patrick Dugald McMillan Sergeant Co-pilot Killed
James William Barker Sergeant Crewman Killed
Eric James McDonald Aircraftsman 1st Class Crewman Killed
William Henry Grey Aircraftsman 1st Class Wireless Operator Killed
Ernest James Musker Aircraftsman 2nd Class Crewman Killed

 

On the 22nd July 1937 the 6 man crew of Heyford K6875 were briefed to carry out a night cross country exercise from RAF Leconfield in east Yorkshire, the weather that night was poor, with low visibility.  The crew became lost in the cloud were seen to fire flares to illuminate the ground beneath to hopefully see a feature they could recognise, this proved fruitless as the aircraft flew up the Vale of Edale striking Broadlee Bank Tor just below the summit.  The aircraft burst into flames on impact killing all 6 of the crew and destroying the aircraft.  It has been stated that the aircraft was some 13 miles off course meaning the aircraft should have been either over Sheffield, Stockport or to the south of Huddersfield or Buxton.

Wreckage at the crash site of Handley Page Heyford Mk.III K6875 on Broadlee Bank Tor, Edale
This shows the tiny remains of K6875 as they were in August 2000, just some small fragments of alloy and some bent strips of steel.
Wreckage at the crash site of Handley Page Heyford Mk.III K6875 on Broadlee Bank Tor, Edale
A general view of the crash site in early autumn 2013.
Wreckage at the crash site of Handley Page Heyford Mk.III K6875 on Broadlee Bank Tor, Edale
Small fragments of aluminium and steel were also still present in 2013.