Bristol 142 Blenheim

Landing (descent or approach)

Operator:

Registration:

L9250

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Site:

Schedule:

Wittering - Wittering

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Crashed onto a dispersal pan at RAF Wittering while completing a local training flight. The crew was uninjured.
Crew:
P/O P. F. Miles +2.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim IV into The Channel: 3 killed

Date & Time: Aug 8, 1940

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N3590

Flight Phase:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Thorney Island - Thorney Island

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The airplane departed RAF Thorney Island on a reconnaissance mission over Cherbourg. It crashed in unknown circumstances into The Channel. No trace was ever found.
Crew:
P/O Henry Lawrence Newson Davis, pilot,
Sgt Barrington William Beaumont, observer,
Sgt George Howey Coulton, wireless operator and air gunner.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim IV in North Crawley: 3 killed

Date & Time: Aug 7, 1940 at 2235 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

P4902

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Upwood - Upwood

MSN:

9384

YOM:

1939

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Circumstances:

The pilot’s instructions were to fly from Upwood to Bicester 53 miles, Bicester to Northampton, 25 miles and back to base 33 ½ miles. At a time when the aeroplane should have been near Northampton it was seen flying in an easterly direction 20 miles SE of the scheduled course and close to Cranfield Aerodrome where night flying was taking place. When opposite the wireless telegraphy station the machine was seen to stagger. Five seconds later at about 1500 feet and while still in flying position it lost speed and spun to the ground. The aeroplane struck the ground at a moderate speed and came to a stop pointing east, the engines were not at the time. From its position and the proximity of trees immediately behind it could be judged to have been flattening out, probably in a left hand spin. Fire occurred immediately and destroyed all the centre of the machine. All safety belts were burnt. One body was found in the navigator’s compartment and one in the gunner’s cockpit. The third, that of the pilot, was lying face down 72 yards east of the wreckage and he had evidently fallen from a considerable height. His parachute was unopened and was on the ground 4 feet away; the harness was free. The rip- cord had not been pulled. No parts broken or otherwise were found to show the circumstances under which he left the machine. The engines were extensively damaged by fire were stripped but appeared to have been in good order at the time of the accident. Examination of the pilot’s parachute harness showed that the release ring had not been turned and while in the locked position had been driven back by direct impact on the front. This had forced the spin- loaded plunger out through the aluminium casing and had released the catches and then the harness. From this it may be seen that the harness was in position on the pilot’s striking the ground.
Source:
http://www.rafupwood.co.uk/17otulosses.html
http://www.mackz.net/cm_samplearticles.htm#local%20hero

Probable cause:

The investigation concluded that the pilot may have lost his way, was trying to identify Cranfield aerodrome and on suddenly becoming aware of the risk of collision with the night flying machines stalled the aeroplane while climbing. Alternatively it was thought possible that on loosing sight of the aerodrome flares he lost control in the 'black-out'.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim off Sheringham

Date & Time: Aug 7, 1940

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

L9304

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Flew into the sea during an air firing practice mission some five miles north of Sheringham. The crew were rescued by a passing drifter.
Crew:
P/O J. C. Eldred,
Sgt A. L. Loudon,
Sgt A. R. Merry.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim IV off Saint Abbs

Date & Time: Aug 7, 1940

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

L9456

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Bombing

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Sumburgh - Sumburgh

Location:

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While returning to Sumburgh, the crew was forced to ditch the airplane off St Abbs due to fuel exhaustion. All three crew members were rescued. The aircraft was recovered but was considered as damaged beyond repair.
Crew:
P/O Richard Haviland, pilot,
P/O M. L Wells, observer,
Sgt Archibald Kay, wireless operator and air gunner.

Probable cause:

Emergency landing due to fuel exhaustion.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim I in Aden

Date & Time: Aug 6, 1940

Type of aircraft:

Landing (descent or approach)

Operator:

Registration:

L4911

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Site:

Schedule:

Aden - Aden

MSN:

8926

YOM:

1939

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The airplane overshot the runway and crashed in a sandy area. All three crew members evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim I in Hargeisa: 3 killed

Date & Time: Aug 5, 1940

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

L8375

Flight Phase:

Woqooyi Galbeed (وقويي جالبيد‎)

Flight Type:

Bombing

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Location:

Hargeisa

Country:

Somalia

Region:

Africa

Crew on board:

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Circumstances:

The airplane was engaged in a raid over convoy in the area of Hargeisa when it was shot down by the pilot of an Italian fighter and crashed. All three crew members were killed.
Crew:
P/O Roy Kingsley Felstead, pilot,
P/O Tom McKenzie Mitchell, observer,
Sgt Aubrey Douglas Wright, wireless operator and air gunner.

Probable cause:

Shot down by an Italian fighter.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim IV in Norbury: 4 killed

Date & Time: Aug 4, 1940 at 1705 LT

Type of aircraft:

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Registration:

R3771

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The airplane was engaged in a fighter affiliation training mission with a Hurricane from the 1st Squadron when it crashed in unknown circumstances in Norbury. All four crew members were killed.
Crew:
P/O Michael Hohnen, pilot,
F/O Ian Welsh Sutherland,
Sgt Harold Norman Beard, observer,
Sgt William Watson, wireless operator.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim IV into the North Sea: 3 killed

Date & Time: Aug 4, 1940 at 0205 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

L9475

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Bombing

Survivors:

Site: