THE SHOCKED wife of a Saddleworth flying legend has relived the moments their private plane careered off a runaway and crashed through a wall.
Margaret and Malcolm Hill, accompanied by another married couple, had a miracle escape at Crosland Hill airfield, near Huddersfield.
Mr Hill, 81, twice president of The Rotary Club of Saddleworth, was flying his party to Goodwood to attend the annual general meeting of the elite Flying Rotarians.
His four-seater Piper Arrow aircraft was travelling at about 30 mph when the incident happened.
His wife was strapped into the rear seat alongside her friend Margaret Hine whose husband Jeff sat at the front of the single-engine plane with Mr Hill.
Speaking at her Grasscroft home after being treated with injuries at hospital for to her arm, Mrs Hill said: “Everything happened very quickly.
“We were taxiing for take off and began heading down the runway when suddenly the plane veered sharply to the left.
“Malcolm was wrestling with the plane’s controls but the plane ran down banking and demolished a stone wall before coming to a halt in a farmer’s field.
“We were all in a state shock. Luckily, in the main, we only sustained some cuts and bruises. It could have been far worse.”
The plane, which Mr Hill has owned for more than twenty years, was badly damaged.
A Huddersfield businessman Carlton Littleford, who was passing the scene, realised the party may need help.
He said: “I drove into the airfield and saw two women, one was sitting on the floor and the other standing next to her.
“One had head injuries and the other was nursing her arm, but they said they were not badly hurt.”
Mr Hill drove his injured passengers to Royal Oldham Hospital and they were released after treatment.
After revisiting the crash scene, Mr Hill said ruefully: “You could say I’ve really gone out with a bang.
“There is nothing really worth salvaging from the plane – it will have to go for scrap.
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