Test Flying Memorial
"...and everywhere the
blue sky belongs to them
and is their appointed rest
and their native country"
- Samuel Taylor Coleridge
| Date | 19/12/1941 |
|---|---|
| Casualties | Sgt J.V. Rutter, P; Lt D.N. Timms, Obs (both Airborne Forces Establishment); Volunteers – Sgt H. Harrison; Pte H.E. Hornby; Pte L.W. Felton; Pte M. Pilkington; Pte G.M. Keogh – all of the Border Regiment, part of the First Air Landing Brigade |
| Aircraft | General Aircraft Hotspur Mk II BT488 |
| Took off from | Ringway, Manchester |
| Purpose of flight | The Hotspur, under tow, was undertaking air sickness trials of more than 2hr duration. |
| Incident location | Near Ringway, Manchester |
| Incident details | After 1½hr, deteriorating weather brought the trials to a close and the Hotspur was released from the tug, instantly climbing steeply, stalling and entering a spin. The spin was recovered but the glider entered a steep dive impacting a field and disintegrating, killing all on board |