430401 - Unaccounted airman (FAA) - 1-4-1943 (Canada)

[Henk Welting]

Looking for info on the death of Act Ldg Airman (Pilot u/t) Hugh V. LAING - FAA/FX.90767 (HMS Canada), killed in an air crash and buried Cataraqui Cem., Kingston, Ontario.
Regards and thanks,
Henk.

[HughAHalliday]

Killed in crash of Harvard FE739 "out of control".

[Henk Welting]

Thanks Hugh. Was the unit Nr. 31 SFTS and was he flying solo ?
Regards,
Henk.

[Bill Walker]

31 SFTS diary records the crash occuring near Odessa, Ontario, today part of Amhearstview, on the west side of Collins Bay, and only a few miles from the Kingston aerodrome on the east side of the bay. No other fatalities or injuries are listed for this crash.

[Henk Welting]

Thanks Bill for additional info on LAING and Harvard FE739 (not listed in appendix 1 of TSGNO).

[Dakota]

G'day Henk

The accident occurred at 17:55 hours. The Harvard Mk.IIB went down 3 miles northwest of Odessa. FX90767 A.L.A. Laing was carrying out authorized aerobatics and practice forced landings at the time of the accident. He was almost at level flight after coming out of a loop when the aircraft hit the ground and exploded after striking a rocky outcrop.

Cheers...Chris

[Henk Welting]

Thanks Chris for amplification of the crash info.
Regards,
Henk.