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Lucas, Thomas Francis Crozier (Leading Aircraftman)

Killed in Flying Accident 1940-December-05

Birth Date: 1912-February-09 (age 28)

Son of the Revd. John Henry Lucas and Anna E. Lucas, of The Rectory, Moy, Co. Tyrone, Northern Ireland.

Home: Moy, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland

Service
RCAF
Unit
1 EFTS- Elementary Flying Training School
Base
Malton, Ontario, Canada
Rank
Leading Aircraftman
Marshal
Air Chief MarshalA/C/M
Air MarshalA/M
Air Vice MarshalA/V/M
Air CommodoreA/C
Group CaptainG/C
Wing CommanderW/C
Squadron LeaderS/L
Flight LieutenantF/L
Flying OfficerF/O
Pilot OfficerP/O
Warrant Officer 1st ClassWO1
Warrant Officer 2nd ClassWO2
Flight SergeantFS
SergeantSGT
CorporalCPL
Senior AircraftmanSAC
Leading AircraftmanLAC
Aircraftman 1st ClassAC1
Aircraftman 2nd ClassAC2
Position
Pilot
Service Numbers
R/77062
Fleet Finch aircraft 4420 and Fleet Finch 4406 collided in the air during the landing approach at Melton. LAC. Lucas was the only casualty and was killed in aircraft 4406.

Canada Primary Source School Daily Diary Entry – 1940-12-05

Canada Source Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Commonwealth War Graves Commission Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Find-A-Grave.com Find-A-Grave.com

Canada Primary Source Library and Archives Canada Service Files (may not exist)

This incident involved multiple aircraft:

  1. Finch Finch II 4406
  2. Finch Finch II 4420

All the aircraft in the above list are in this report.

There were no casulaties listed on Finch Finch II 4420

Fleet Finch

Fleet Finch Mk. IICanadian Warplane Heritage Museum

The Fleet Finch was the final version of a whole family of light biplane trainers, designed by Consolidated Aircraft of Buffalo, NY and intended for civilian use. Few of these aircraft were marketed under the Consolidated name, as most were sold through Fleet Aircraft Canada, under a range of model numbers. Only the RCAF gave any of these models names, calling the Model 7 the Fawn and the Model 16 the Finch. These aircraft were built from 1930 to 1941, all at Fort Erie, Ontario.

The Finch was developed to meet an RCAF requirement for a fully aerobatic, primary trainer. The RCAF ordered the first batch of aircraft in July 1939 and powered by a Kinner R5-2, 160 hp engine, they were designated the Fleet Finch Mk. I. Most of these aircraft were delivered to the RCAF Central Flying School at Trenton, Ontario by early 1940.

The RCAF placed a further order for primary trainers with Fleet in January 1940. The Fleet Finch Mk. II, powered by a Kinner B-5R, 130 hp engine, first flew from Fort Erie in March 1940. During the following year, over 400 Fleet Finch Mk. IIs were delivered to BCATP Elementary Flying Schools right across Canada.

The Fleet Finch was well liked by the RCAF as it was a rugged aircraft, was relatively easy to fly and withstood the abuse of novice pilots. Some Fleet Finches remained in service with the RCAF until 1947, but most were retired by October 1944. Their role as a primary trainer was taken over by Fairchild PT-26 Cornell. Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum

YouTube Fleet Finch

CASPIR Aircraft Groups:
RCAF On Strength (431), RCAF 400 Squadron (3), Canadian Aircraft Losses (34), Canadian Manufactured (1)
last update: 2021-09-07 16:39:39

Finch Finch II 4406

With No. 1 Elementary Flying Training School at Malton, Ontario. Category A damage on 5 December 1940, collided with Finch 4420 on approach to land. Was being flown by civilian instructor and student at time of collision. Had 287 hours airframe time when struck off.
1940-03-26 Taken on Strength No. 1 Training Command 2019-08-20
1940-September-02 Accident: 1 Elementary Flying Training School Loc: Malton Ontario Names: Jones | Williams
1940-December-05 Accident: 1 Elementary Flying Training School Loc: Malton Airport Names: Baxter | Hockey | Lucas | Taylor
1941-02-08 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20

Finch Finch II 4420

No. 1 Elementary Flying Training School at Malton, Ontario. Category D damage on 5 December 1940 at Malton, collided with Finch 4406 on approach to landing. To stored reserve with No. 3 Training Command on 5 April 1941, probably stored at St. Hubert, Quebec. Issued to No. 21 Elementary Flying Training School at Chatham, NB on 20 May 1941. To Cub Aircraft for overhaul, 10 August to 18 December 1942. To storage with No. 1 Training Command when completed. Sold to J. Goleb of Dayton, Ohio.
1940-04-12 Taken on Strength No. 1 Training Command 2019-08-20
1940-September-04 Accident: 1 Elementary Flying Training School Loc: Malton Ontario Names: Hogg | Milman
1940-December-05 Accident: 1 Elementary Flying Training School Loc: Malton Airport Names: Baxter | Hockey | Lucas | Taylor
1941-January-30 Accident: 1 Elementary Flying Training School Loc: Apron Names:
1943-12-03 Struck off Strength Struck off, sold 2019-08-20

1 EFTS- Elementary Flying Training School (1 Elementary Flying Training School)

An Elementary Flying Training School (EFTS) gave a trainee 50 hours of basic flying instruction on a simple trainer like the De Havilland Tiger Moth, Fleet Finch, or Fairchild Cornell over 8 weeks.Elementary schools were operated by civilian flying clubs under contract to the RCAF and most of the instructors were civilians. For example, No. 12 EFTS Goderich was run by the Kitchener-Waterloo Flying Club and the County of Huron Flying Club.The next step for a pilot was the Service Flying Training School.
Malton Course 50 1942

The School was established at Malton, Ontario. The former school is now the Toronto (Pearson) International Airport.

More information on the RCAF Station at Malton can be found at

  • RCAF Roundel RCAF.info - RCAF Station Malton Ontario

    • BCATP Course NO50 EFTS Malton

  • General Course 50 - 1 EFTS

    • 1940-06-24 Primary Location Malton ON Canada Now site of Toronto International Airport CYYZ

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