On 5th January 1944, Stinson Reliant I FK914 crashed on Sawel Mountain, Co. Londonderry causing the deaths of three aircrew from No. 878 Naval Air Squadron.
On 5th January 1944, Stinson Reliant I FK914 took off from H.M.S. Gannet, R.N.A.S. Eglinton, Eglinton, Co. Londonderry. The plane belonged to Eglinton Station Flight and was bound for H.M.S. Landrail, R.N.A.S. Machrihanish, Argyll and Bute, Scotland. On board were three aircrew serving in No. 878 Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm.
The plane came down in poor weather conditions near Glenerin on the north-east side of Sawel Mountain, Co. Londonderry. All on board died as a result of the incident and heavy snow meant their bodies were not recovered until 29th January 1944. The graves of Sub-Lieutenant Alan Albert Pollock, Sub-Lieutenant Alan Frederick Orchard, and Sub-Lieutenant John Bernard Johnson are in St. Canice’s Church of Ireland Churchyard, Eglinton, Co. Londonderry.