1029670 Sergeant Pilot John Leslie Johnson
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Died age 30
Son of William Robert and Ellen Johnson, of Bruntcliffe, Morley
On 24th September 1942 the trainee pilot of this aircraft lost control during a training flight, he was undertaking a series of take-offs and landings when, on one of the take-offs, from Catfoss airfield the aircraft swung towards the hangers. The pilot lifted the nose up to clear the hangers but crashed. Sadly the pilot was killed in the accident.
In a letter from a another pilot who was undertaking the same exercise to the father of the pilot killed he gave more details about the accident - "The first plane we came to was Leslie's so I left him and looked for mine. I heard Les start his engines, then starting mine I taxied out and was the first off the ground. Les came next but seemed to be having trouble with his engines, for halfway on the take off his engine cut and he stopped and started it again. The second time he swung rather badly but managed to take off. He then flew around for about twenty minutes and landed. The third time he swung again but became airborne and then swung around toward the hangars. He must have pulled the nose up to clear the hangars but stalled and dived into the ground. Les was thrown clear and didn't seem to be badly hurt or cut, but when the Medical Officer came he said that death was instantaneous."
Brother of 7916295 Trooper Stanley Akeroyd Johnson Who also lost his life during the war.
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Died age 30
Son of William Robert and Ellen Johnson, of Bruntcliffe, Morley
On 24th September 1942 the trainee pilot of this aircraft lost control during a training flight, he was undertaking a series of take-offs and landings when, on one of the take-offs, from Catfoss airfield the aircraft swung towards the hangers. The pilot lifted the nose up to clear the hangers but crashed. Sadly the pilot was killed in the accident.
In a letter from a another pilot who was undertaking the same exercise to the father of the pilot killed he gave more details about the accident - "The first plane we came to was Leslie's so I left him and looked for mine. I heard Les start his engines, then starting mine I taxied out and was the first off the ground. Les came next but seemed to be having trouble with his engines, for halfway on the take off his engine cut and he stopped and started it again. The second time he swung rather badly but managed to take off. He then flew around for about twenty minutes and landed. The third time he swung again but became airborne and then swung around toward the hangars. He must have pulled the nose up to clear the hangars but stalled and dived into the ground. Les was thrown clear and didn't seem to be badly hurt or cut, but when the Medical Officer came he said that death was instantaneous."
Brother of 7916295 Trooper Stanley Akeroyd Johnson Who also lost his life during the war.
1029670 Sergeant Pilot John Leslie Johnson
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Died age 30
Son of William Robert and Ellen Johnson, of Bruntcliffe, Morley
On 24th September 1942 the trainee pilot of this aircraft lost control during a training flight, he was undertaking a series of take-offs and landings when, on one of the take-offs, from Catfoss airfield the aircraft swung towards the hangers. The pilot lifted the nose up to clear the hangers but crashed. Sadly the pilot was killed in the accident.
In a letter from a another pilot who was undertaking the same exercise to the father of the pilot killed he gave more details about the accident - "The first plane we came to was Leslie's so I left him and looked for mine. I heard Les start his engines, then starting mine I taxied out and was the first off the ground. Les came next but seemed to be having trouble with his engines, for halfway on the take off his engine cut and he stopped and started it again. The second time he swung rather badly but managed to take off. He then flew around for about twenty minutes and landed. The third time he swung again but became airborne and then swung around toward the hangars. He must have pulled the nose up to clear the hangars but stalled and dived into the ground. Les was thrown clear and didn't seem to be badly hurt or cut, but when the Medical Officer came he said that death was instantaneous."
Brother of 7916295 Trooper Stanley Akeroyd Johnson Who also lost his life during the war.
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Died age 30
Son of William Robert and Ellen Johnson, of Bruntcliffe, Morley
On 24th September 1942 the trainee pilot of this aircraft lost control during a training flight, he was undertaking a series of take-offs and landings when, on one of the take-offs, from Catfoss airfield the aircraft swung towards the hangers. The pilot lifted the nose up to clear the hangers but crashed. Sadly the pilot was killed in the accident.
In a letter from a another pilot who was undertaking the same exercise to the father of the pilot killed he gave more details about the accident - "The first plane we came to was Leslie's so I left him and looked for mine. I heard Les start his engines, then starting mine I taxied out and was the first off the ground. Les came next but seemed to be having trouble with his engines, for halfway on the take off his engine cut and he stopped and started it again. The second time he swung rather badly but managed to take off. He then flew around for about twenty minutes and landed. The third time he swung again but became airborne and then swung around toward the hangars. He must have pulled the nose up to clear the hangars but stalled and dived into the ground. Les was thrown clear and didn't seem to be badly hurt or cut, but when the Medical Officer came he said that death was instantaneous."
Brother of 7916295 Trooper Stanley Akeroyd Johnson Who also lost his life during the war.
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