Handley Page H.P.57 Halifax III crash, Mar 31, 1944 (2 killed)
Handley Page H.P.57 Halifax III accident on March 31, 1944 near Sunderland Tyne and Wear, United Kingdom with 2 fatalities.
- Date: March 31, 1944
- Aircraft: Handley Page H.P.57 Halifax III
- Location: Sunderland Tyne and Wear, United Kingdom
- Fatalities: 2
- Phase of flight: En route
Halifax LK797 Excalibur of 578 Squadron, returning from the Nuremberg raid on the night of 30/31 March 1944, was damaged by fighters and lost an engine and fuel. Pilot Cyril Joe Barton flew it home on three engines and tried to avoid houses, but it crashed at Ryhope Colliery, killing Barton and a civilian miner. The other crew survived, and Barton was later awarded the Victoria Cross.