ex Boscombe Down Harvard shut s East Midlands runway after U/c collapse- 15th July

The undercarriage of a Noorduyn AT-16-ND Harvard IIB training aircraft is reported to have collapsed at East Midlands Airport (EMA/EGNX).

A spokesperson for East Midlands Airport said:

‘A Harvard T6 aircraft (reg. G-CORS, ex KF183) which is used for training purposes encountered a technical issue with its undercarriage upon landing at East Midlands Airport this morning. Our fire teams were on the scene immediately and fortunately the two crew were unharmed. The aircraft, which is currently resting on the grass adjacent to the runway, in in the process of being removed and normal operations will resume shortly.’

Incident Noorduyn AT-16-ND Harvard IIB G-CORS, 15 Jul 2021 (aviation-safety.net)

Video of recovery

Problem with plane’s undercarriage forced East Midlands Airport runway to close – Nottinghamshire Live

(nottinghampost.com)

”On 29th November 1947, the aircraft was handed over from the R.A.F. to the fleet of Controller Services (Air) for use with various test establishments.  It was first used with the Air Torpedo Development Unit at Gosport.  It started a role that continued with the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment (A&AEE) at Boscombe Down for many decades as a chase-plane and photo-mount.  In the later years, she was loaned for periods to the Empire Test Pilots School (ETPS) and Boscombe Down to provide tail-dragger experience.

When KF183 was finally released from military service, she had served in R.A.F. colours, has been continuously active with the same owners for an astounding 72 years: 1944-2016, which must be something of an aviation record, indeed most likely a unique achievement worldwide.   During this time, she amassed over 15,000 flying hours.

Acquired by Propshop Ltd, she was registered as G-CORS on 11th November 2016 and moved to Duxford, retaining the smart yellow overall scheme and RAF markings worn for several decades. In 2021 she was hangared in Derby with Rolls Royce and used for pilot training with their heritage flight. (Brian Jones – Harvard Historian)”

G-CORS (Full History) – T6 Harvard Aviation T6 Harvard Aviation