Plane s/n 44-8720, newly arrived at Glatton was being flown by the Engineering Officer, Capt Roy Kerr on a test flight (Feb 6th, 1945) prior to qualifying it for missions. On board was the Commander of the 750th Squadron, Capt William Doherty, Lt Maurice E. Walbridge, and a radio operator, Sgt Robert L. Stevenson. With no indication of trouble the pilot came in for a landing and suddenly dropped out of sight and exploded just short of the runway. All aboard were killed. The wreckage burned for most of the day as a solemn reminder that not all deaths were from enemy action.
An English civilian named John Ruff was cycling near Holme at that moment and was severely injured by debris from the crash. One wheel of the aircraft struck him, breaking an arm and both legs, and causing severe head injuries.