The T7 Gloster Meteor WL368/W of CFE Comms Flight was piloted by Flight Lieutenant Michael J. Withey, of Malvern, Worcestershire, accompanied by Senior Aircraftman D. McLoughlin, of Glasgow. They had left the base at West Raynham, Norfolk destined for RAF Turnhouse with spares for a Hawker Hunter.
Bad weather in the Edinburgh area meant the aircraft was diverted to Leuchars. The pilot contacted Leuchars around 15:00 reporting he had engine trouble. He was given clearance to carry out a single engine landing. Nothing more was heard from the aircraft.
Eyewitness reports vary slightly but the aircraft was seen flying very low over the north of Kirkcaldy, reportedly narrowly missing the Templehall Secondary School. At around 15:15 the aircraft passed over the site of the new Kirkcaldy High School, which was under construction at the time, it rolled rapidly to port and dived vertically into the ground. The aircraft exploded on impact in the trees between the High School site and what is now Dunnikier House Hotel.
A helicopter from RAF Leuchars located the crash and landed in Dunnikier Park to direct the police and fire engine operations.
The crash site was reportedly just a big hole in the ground with smoke coming out of it, such was the force of the impact.
The headteacher of the nearby Templehall Secondary School (now demolished and redeveloped into housing) on Templehall Avenue praised the actions of the pilot in avoiding a more serious catastrophe had the plane landed upon the school.
On Monday 8th September 2008 at 10.30am Mrs Maureen O’Mara, the sister of the pilot, Flight Lieutenant Mike Withey, unveiled the plaque and RAF Group Captain Andrew Dipper read the text. Mr John Clement O’Mara spoke of the life and character of his brave brother-in-law. Sadly, the family of Senior Aircraftman D. McLoughlin (of Glasgow) could not be traced. The plaque reads ... "This plaque is dedicated to the memory of Flt. Lt. Mike Withey and SAC D. McLoughlin who courageously gave their lives, when their aircraft, a Gloster Meteor MK VII, crashed near this site on 18th October 1957."