Leuchars AFB | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The crew departed RAF Leuchars on a local training flight. While flying in the vicinity of the airbase, the aircraft collided with a RAF Avro 504N registered J8509. While the crew of the Avro was able to return to RAF Leuchars and to complete a safe landing, the Fairey entered a dive and crashed, killing both crew members.
Crew:
F/O Herbert George Hicks,
AC1 Richard Beattie.

Crash of a Fairey IIIF in Great Busby

Date & Time: May 8, 1931

Type of aircraft:

Fairey III

Operator:

Registration:

J9061

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Leuchars – Northolt

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

En route from RAF Leuchars to RAF Northolt at dusk, the pilot encountered misty conditions. He reduced his altitude and apparently attempted to divert to Catterick Airfield when the airplane clipped trees and crashed. The passenger was unhurt while the pilot was seriously injured.

Crash of a Fairey IIIF in Boarhills: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 23, 1931

Type of aircraft:

Fairey III

Operator:

Registration:

S1341

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Leuchars - Leuchars

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The pilot departed RAF Leuchars on a local solo training flight. En route, he lost control of the airplane that crashed in Boarhills, about 11 km southeast of the airbase. The pilot F/O Alexander Maximilian McDowell was killed.

Crash of a Fairey IIID at RAF Leuchars: 2 killed

Date & Time: Oct 20, 1927

Type of aircraft:

Fairey III

Operator:

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Leuchars - Leuchars

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew departed RAF Leuchars for a local training mission. Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, the engine failed. The aircraft lost height and crashed. Two crew members were killed and the third occupant was injured.
Crew:
F/O William Harvey Osborne Rumfitt, †
AC2 Francis William Tomlinson, †
AC2 Herbert William Furness.

Probable cause:

Engine failure after takeoff.

Crash of a Fairey IIID in Dundee: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 22, 1927 at 1000 LT

Type of aircraft:

Fairey III

Operator:

Registration:

S1094

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

City

Schedule:

Leuchars - Leuchars

MSN:

F.833

YOM:

1927

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from RAF Leuchars, while climbing, the engine caught fire. The pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed in Binn Cottage, some 11 km northwest of RAF Leuchars, bursting into flames. The pilot was seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed. Few hours later, the pilot F/O Rawdon Frank Gerald Salmond died from his injuries.

Probable cause:

Engine fire during climbout.

Crash of a Fairey IIID at RAF Leuchars: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 1, 1925 at 1000 LT

Type of aircraft:

Fairey III

Operator:

Registration:

N9756

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Leuchars - Leuchars

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew departed RAF Leuchars for a local training mission. In flight, the airplane collided with a second RAF Fairey IIID registered N9754. While this second aircraft was able to land and its crew was uninjured, the N9756 entered a dive and crashed in Guardbridge, southwest of the airbase. Both crew members were killed.
Crew:
F/O Harry Lestourgeon Roseveare,
Cpl Tom Vincent Warwick.