Ventures - Dark Peak Aircraft Sites - Outer Edge - Oxford LX518
Summary
Location: at Outer Edge Grid Ref: SK18024 96710 Height: 534m
Crash Site: Cross and memorial plaque. No significant wreckage.
Crash Event: Oxford aircraft crashed on 23rd of October 1943.
Pilot Officer Denis Kyne killed.
Further Reference : Dark Peak Aircraft Wrecks 2 (by Ron Collier and Roni Wilkinson)
Details
Pilot Officer Denis Kyne was on his first solo training flight at night in an Oxford aircraft. He was supposed to do a 50 mile triangular trip from Wheaton Aston.
If pilots got lost then they should have followed what is know as the 'Lost Procedure'. These included code letters flashed from airfields; emergency radio system and searchlight system.
At 20:45 PO Kyne took off to complete the flight, but at 21:45 all training aircraft were ordered to return to base because of deteriorating weather. PO Kyne didn't return. Four days later, on the 23rd of October, the aircraft wreckage was found on Outer Edge.
Investigations revealed that the aircraft hit the ground at speed. There was still fuel in the tanks and so lack of fuel was eliminated as a cause.
It is assumed that PO Kyne got lost soon after take off. It is not know why he didn't follow the 'Los Procedure' process. It is probable that he was trying to get below the clouds to try and determine his location.
