19 February 1917 - the accident

The Pilot's Flying Log Book records more pilot training but in a different aircraft. Athol flies an Avro 504 for the first time with a Lt Culley instructing. This training flight was in aeroplane Avro 7962 on 13 February and the following day in another Avro 544 with Capt. McLean. Athol completed two landings and just over one hour flying time on these two days.

The following week Athol flies again in Avro 544 in the morning for 30 minutes with Captain MacLean but they only complete one landing. In the afternoon he goes up again with Lt Culley in the same aircraft for 30 minutes and this time they successfully complete 10 landings.

Later that same evening, at about 5:15, Athol takes off again in a different aircraft, Avro 7989, with Lt Culley. They successfully complete another 2 landings. But then The Log Book goes on to record the fatal accident: '...on the 3rd circuit and the machine dived to ground from height of about 100 feet'. This is signed by Capt L L MacLean, CO 'C' Flight, No.22 Reserve Squadron., 19.2.17.

By the time of his accident on 19 January 1917 Athol had total flying time (dual and solo) of just under 14 hours with seven and half of that total being solo flying.

AVRO 504 - the type of aircraft in which Athol died

Reference: http://www.sonsofdamien.co.uk/avro504.htm. Image courtesy of Brian Johannesson