Crash of a Boeing B-50A-10-BO Superfortress into the Choctawhatchee Bay: 2 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
46-021
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Eglin - Eglin
MSN:
15741
YOM:
1947
Crew on board:
11
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a local training sortie from Eglin AFB, Florida. En route, an engine failed, causing the aircraft to stall and crash into the Choctawhatchee Bay, about 2 miles northeast of the Okaloosa Island. Nine crew members were rescued while two other were killed.
Crew (3,200th BTS):
1st Lt Park R. Bidwell Jr, pilot,
1st Lt Vere Short, pilot,
1st Lt James S. Wigg, copilot,
Maj William C. McLaughlin, bombardier,
S/Sgt Clifford J. Gallipo,
M/Sgt Alton Howard,
M/Sgt William J. Almand,
T/Sgt Samuel G. Broke,
Cpl William F. Fitzpatrick,
M/Sgt Claude Dorman, †
S/Sgt William Thomas Bell. †
Probable cause:
Engine failure.

Crash of a Vickers 619 Wellington X in RAF Swinderby: 3 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
LN657
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Swinderby - Swinderby
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a night training sortie in RAF Swinderby. On final approach, the pilot in command decided to make a go around. He overflew the runway at low height and then started to climb when the aircraft banked left, nosed down and crashed in a wooded area located near the airport. All three crew members were killed.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-30-DK Dakota 3 off Vitória: 6 killed

Date & Time:
Operator:
Registration:
PP-AXG
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Vitória - Vitória
MSN:
13850/25295
YOM:
1944
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The crew consisting of three engineers and three pilots was involved in a training flight. While flying off Vitória, the airplane went out of control and crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea. SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the six crew members was found.

Crash of a Vickers 619 Wellington X in RAF Tangmere

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PF988
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a training flight over The Channel. While flying off the Channel Islands, the crew informed ground about an engine fire. The captain decided to divert to RAF Tangmere for an emergency landing. On final approach, he was unable to lower the gear so the aircraft belly landed, slid for several yards and came to rest in flames. While all three occupants were uninjured, the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Engine fire.

Crash of an Avro 652A Anson XI in RAF Kenley

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PH840
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Kenley - Kenley
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach, the pilot in command decided to perform a go around. During initial climb, an engine failed. The aircraft stalled and crashed. All three crew members were injured and the aircraft was written off.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.

Crash of a Vickers 619 Wellington X in RAF Finningley

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PF993
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Finningley - Finningley
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a training sortie in RAF Finningley. While flying in the vicinity of the airbase, the aircraft collided with a flock of ducks. Both engines lost power and the pilot was forced to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed near the airfield and came to rest. There were no casualties.
Probable cause:
Bird strike.

Crash of a Fairchild C-82A Packet near Barksdale AFB: 1 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
44-22996
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Barksdale - Barksdale
MSN:
10039
YOM:
1944
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Barksdale AFB, while in initial climb, the crew encountered engine problems. The captain elected to make an emergency landing and reduced his altitude. The airplane crash landed in a field and hit a cotton picker before coming to rest. While all nine crew members were unhurt, the aircraft was written off and the cotton picker was killed.
Probable cause:
Engine problems.

Crash of an Avro 683 Lancaster B.1 off Selsey: 7 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
TW908
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Upwood - Upwood
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a night training exercice called 'Bullseye', consisting of an in flight interception of a RAF Mosquito. While flying by night over The Channel, both aircraft collided and crashed into the sea about 8 miles south of Selsey. All seven crew members were killed as well as both pilots on board the Mosquito registered RL116.
Crew (148th Squadron):
F/O Jack Oldham, pilot
Donald McUsbie McCall, navigator,
William Meldrum, navigator,
Lyndon Harold Stevens, flight engineer,
Eric George Clarke, signaler,
Sydney Arthur Mason, gunner,
Cyril James Chapman, gunner.

Crash of an Aero C.3B in Malacky-Kuchyňa AFB: 3 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Malacky-Kuchyňa - Malacky-Kuchyňa
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances in Kuchyňa, near the Malacky-Kuchyňa AFB, killing all three crew members.

Crash of a Boeing B-50A-25-BO Superfortress in Isleham: 12 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
46-060
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Lakenheath - Lakenheath
MSN:
15780
YOM:
1947
Region:
Crew on board:
12
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
12
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed RAF Lakenheath at 0925LT on a training mission consisting of a climb to 25,000 feet, break up the formation then drop 16,500 pounds of high explosive bombs individually on the bombing target at Heligoland. During the initial climb, while at a height of 500 feet, the captain reported to ATC that all was OK on board. Shortly later, while climbing into clouds, the aircraft went out of control, dove into the ground and crashed in a huge explosion in a field located half a mile southeast of Isleham. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and several explosions caused by the bombs and the 6,000 gallons of fuel. All 12 crew members were killed.
Source:
http://www.islehaminformer.org.uk/Images/Informer201110.pdf
Probable cause:
The obvious cause of the crash was an in flight fire, although what caused the fire could not be determined in view of the total destruction of the aircraft and the entire crew being killed. This aircraft type had been plagued with oil leaks and exhaust problems, and it is likely that this was the cause of the fire.