IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

  • Name: North American Harvard Mk. II AJ693
  • Serial Number: NA-76 76-3663
  • Year Taken on Strength: August 25, 1941
  • Location of Final Loss: Lake Ontario, near Kingston, Ontario

AIRCRAFT TYPE DESCRIPTION

  • Type: North American Harvard Mk. II
  • Purpose: The Harvard Mk. II was a training aircraft used extensively during World War II by the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and other Allied air forces. It was equipped with Dunlop pneumatic firing gear and served primarily as a trainer for pilots, preparing them for operational duty on more advanced aircraft. The Harvard was known for its robust design, making it an ideal platform for both basic and advanced flight training.

HISTORY The Harvard Mk. II AJ693 was taken on strength by No. 1 Training Command on August 25, 1941, and was assigned to No. 31 Service Flying Training School in Kingston, Ontario. The aircraft had a notable service history, but it also suffered several incidents during its operational life.

On October 20, 1941, the Harvard sustained category C7 damage while at Kingston. A month later, on November 25, 1941, it was involved in another incident while taxiing, when it collided with a stationary refueling tanker, causing additional damage. Consequently, the aircraft was sent to Noorduyn Aviation for repairs on November 26, 1942.
After being repaired, the Harvard was returned to No. 1 Training Command but was placed in storage on March 4, 1943. The aircraft was later issued from storage on June 1, 1943, and resumed its training operations.
FINAL DISPOSITION Tragically, on January 24, 1944, the Harvard AJ693 was lost over Lake Ontario during a night training exercise. A/LA Geoffrey Fitton, the pilot, was authorized for solo landing exercises, but at approximately 3:30 a.m., the aircraft crashed into Lake Ontario, half a mile west of the aerodrome. The cause of the crash remains uncertain, as none of the other pilots who took off at the same time could provide evidence regarding the incident.
An investigation into the crash revealed negligence on the part of personnel involved, including the Aerodrome Control Pilot and the Officer in charge of Night Flying, who failed to adhere to regulations and standing orders. This negligence was noted as a potential factor that could have contributed to the fatal outcome.
Despite the tragic circumstances, A/LA Fitton was recovered from the lake, with his body discovered at 7:00 a.m., floating with his Mae West life jacket. The cause of death was determined to be drowning, likely due to the high winds and waves present at the time.

A military funeral was held on January 30, 1944, and A/LA Fitton was buried in Cataraqui Cemetery, Kingston, Ontario. He was 20 years old at the time of his death and was survived by his parents, Edwin Arnold and Augusta Victoria Fitton, of Burnby, Lancashire, as well as his brother, A/LA R. A. Fitton, who served as the chief mourner at the funeral.

CURRENT CONDITION & MEMORIAL In 1983, the wreckage of the Harvard was recovered from Lake Ontario by Don Nightengale. The aircraft was subsequently restored and is now displayed mounted on a pole at Kingston, Ontario airport (CYGK), with wartime markings as a memorial to A/LA Geoffrey Fitton and his tragic accident.
RESOURCES & LINKS

ANALYSIS The loss of the Harvard AJ693 highlights the inherent risks of night flying and the critical importance of adhering to safety protocols. The negligence identified in the investigation serves as a reminder of the need for strict enforcement of regulations to prevent such tragedies. The memorial at Kingston Airport stands as a lasting tribute to A/LA Geoffrey Fitton and the sacrifices made by those who trained and served during World War II.

KEYWORDS: Harvard Mk. II, AJ693, Lake Ontario, Kingston, Royal Canadian Air Force, World War II, training aircraft, aviation accident, A/LA Geoffrey Fitton, night flying, military history, aircraft restoration, memorial