Training

Survivors:

Site:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was performing a training sortie when the aircraft went out of control, nosed down, lost several pieces and partially disintegrated in the air before crashing in a field located 6 miles east of RAF Cottesmore. All three crew members were killed.

Probable cause:

The exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty. Nevertheless, the loss of control might be the result of poor weather conditions or a structural or a mechanical failure.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-25-DK in Schofields

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

VH-AOH

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Schofields - Schofields

MSN:

13603

YOM:

1944

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was completing touch and goes at Schofields Airport. On final approach, the airplane failed to land, overshot and eventually crashed in a wooded area past the runway end. The aircraft was destroyed while both pilots were injured.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson in Gilze-Rijen AFB: 6 killed

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

Avro 652 Anson

Operator:

Registration:

D-22

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Gilze-Rijen - Gilze-Rijen

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was engaged in a combined exercise with another RNAF Anson registered D-21 and carrying a crew of six as well. After takeoff from the Gilze-Rijen AFB, while in initial climb, both aircraft collided and crashed in a field. They were totally destroyed and all 12 crew members were killed.

Crash of a Avro 683 Lancaster in Nairobi

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

Avro 683 Lancaster

Operator:

Registration:

SW304

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Nairobi-Eastleigh (Moi Air Base)

Schedule:

Nairobi - Nairobi

Location:

Nairobi City District

Country:

Kenya

Region:

Africa

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

During the takeoff roll, the aircraft skidded and went out of control. The undercarriage collapsed and the airplane came to rest. There were no casualties among the crew of five from the 82nd Squadron.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson in Gilze-Rijen AFB: 6 killed

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

Avro 652 Anson

Operator:

Registration:

D-21

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter

Schedule:

Gilze-Rijen - Gilze-Rijen

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was engaged in a combined exercise with another RNAF Anson registered D-22 and carrying a crew of six as well. After takeoff from the Gilze-Rijen AFB, while in initial climb, both aircraft collided and crashed in a field. They were totally destroyed and all 12 crew members were killed.

Crash of a Boeing XC-97 Stratofreighter in Wright-Patterson AFB: 5 killed

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

43-27472

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Wright-Patterson AFB (Dayton)

MSN:

8483

Location:

Ohio

Country:

United States of America

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

On final approach to Wright-Patterson AFB, the aircraft went out of control and crashed in flames in a field located 5 miles short of runway. Five crew members were killed while two others were seriously injured.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.63 Halifax VI in RAF North Luffenham

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

Handley Page H.P.63 Halifax VII

Operator:

Registration:

PP373

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Lockheed L-049 Constellation

Schedule:

North Luffenham - North Luffenham

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

During the takeoff roll, clear for rotation, the pilot lost directional control of the aircraft that overran and came to rest. There were no casualties but the aircraft was written off.

Probable cause:

Directional control was lost on takeoff due to a failure of the elevator control system caused by a wrong bolt type that was fixed.

Crash of a Lockheed L-049 Constellation off Cape May Pount: 4 killed

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

NC86508

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Landing (descent or approach)

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

New Castle - New Castle

MSN:

2029

YOM:

1945

Location:

Cape May Point

New Jersey

Country:

United States of America

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3300

Captain / Total hours on type:

155.00

Copilot / Total flying hours:

3795

Copilot / Total hours on type:

Aircraft flight hours:

2214

Circumstances:

The crew was conducting a training mission (pilot transition program). While cruising at an altitude of 2,500 feet and completing a turn to the left, the four engine aircraft christened 'Star of Athens' went into a dive and crashed into the Delaware Bay, some 7 miles west off Cape May Pount. The aircraft was destroyed on impact and all four crew members were killed.

Probable cause:

The Board finds that the probable cause of this accident was loss of control of the aircraft for reasons undetermined.

Final Report:

Crash of a Vickers 619 Wellington X in RAF Driffield: 2 killed

Date & Time:

Type of aircraft:

Vickers 619 Wellington X

Operator:

Registration:

RP520

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site: