ACCIDENT 1 – 15/04/1943

ACCIDENT 1 – 15/04/1943

FLT. SGT. K.H. HEWITT (R.A.A.F.) DIED – Navigator

DETAILS OF ACCIDENT
On the 15th April 1943, Wellington F3951 was detailed to carry out a non-operational night training flight. Sergeant Crook (Pilot) was warming up the engines prior to the cross-country training flight, and he told Flight Sergeant Hewitt to leave the aircraft and contact “C” Flying Officer to enquire about the whereabouts of Hewitt’s copy of the Bomber Code which could not be found in the aircraft. In doing so, Hewitt walked into the port propeller which struck him a glancing blow on the forehead, rendering him unconscious. The tips of the propeller were subsequently smashed off. The Aircraft Captain turned off the engines and requested Flying Control to send for an ambulance. The Wing Commander Commanding Training Wing stated: “Prior to take off on the cross-country training flight the Navigator, discovering the loss of his copy of the Bomber Code, left the aircraft by the main hatch and walked unto the port propeller blade hitting him with a glancing blow to the forehead and causing a fatal injury.” Many people believe that his ghost haunts the airfield.