Site last updated 1st February 2012

Peak District Air Accident Research

Avro Lancaster Mk.I NF963 coded BQ-A of 550 Sqn dived into the ground near to Ellingstring in North Yorkshire just before midnight on the 4th October 1944.

Crew / Passengers	Rank - If Applicable	Position e.g. Pilot	Status
Stanley Herbert Hayter	Flying Officer	Pilot	Injured
Leon Asher Bassman	Sergeant	Flight Engineer	Killed
Thomas Yestyn Thomas	Flying Officer	Navigator	Killed
Robert Ranui Bradshaw	Flying Officer RNZAF	Air Bomber	Killed
John Patrick Sheridan	Sergeant	Navigator / Air Gunner	Killed
Arthur Joseph Pearce	Sergeant	Wireless Operator	Killed
James McVey	Sergeant	Air Gunner	Killed

Lancaster Mk.I NF963 broke up in mid air on killing 6 of the 7 crew, the pilot escaping when the cockpit disintegrated around him. Some of the crew did manage to bale out but were too low for their parachutes to deploy.

A small amount of NF963 is still left at the crash site today.

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