Training

The crew left Syracuse AFB on a training mission to the Wheeler-Sack Airbase. After take off, the captain decided to modify the program and diverted to Syracuse Municipal Airport to complete touch and go maneuver. After three such procedures, he started a new approach to runway 27 when, during the last turn, the aircraft hit tree tops and crashed in a wooded area located one mile short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and all three occupants were killed.

The aircraft left Edwards AFB for a training exercise. In unknown circumstances, the four engine aircraft crashed in a desert area located 20 miles east of Boron. All nine occupants were killed.

Shortly after take off from Monroe-Selman Airport, while in initial climb, the pilot retracted the landing gear when the left engine misfired. The aircraft bank left when the right engine misfired as well. The pilot put the aircraft in a flat position in an attempt to make an emergency landing. Suddenly, the aircraft stalled and crashed in a wooded area located 1 mile from the airfield. All five crew members were killed. They were engaged in a training exercise.

The crew was involved in a bombing exercise and left Boise-Gowen Field Airbase in the day. En route, one of the right engine caught fire. Shortly later, the right wing failed and the aircraft dove into the ground and crashed in a field located 8 miles northwest of the airbase. All eleven occupants were killed.

The crew was performing a circular training exercise from the Bowman Field Airport in Louisville. En route, the right engine failed. While descending through the clouds, it then exploded and the aircraft dove into the ground before crashing in a field. All three crew members were killed.

The seaplane was damaged beyond repair while landing in the Escambia Bay, off Pensacola. No casualties.

The crew was performing a night training exercise from the RAF Llandwrog (Caernarfon). En route, while flying at an altitude of 6,000 feet in poor visibility, the crew encountered turbulence and obtained them permission to descend when the twin engine aircraft hit the north slope of Mt Moel Hebog located southwest of Beddgelert. A crew member was injured while all four other occupants were killed.
Crew (9th OAFU):
F/O Ray Alexander Dawson, pilot, †
P/O John Edgar Gunning, navigator, †
Sgt John Frederick Potts, wireless operator and air gunner, †
Sgt Harry Howard, wireless operator,
P/O Donald Archibald McFadyen, air bomber. †

The crew was performing a night training exercise from the RAF Wigtown. En route, the twin engine aircraft hit a hill located in North Barrule, near Corrany. The navigator survived while all four other crew members were killed. The only survivor died a day later at the Douglas Hospital.
Crew (11th AGS):
F/S Archibald Mckenzie, pilot,
Sgt Cyril Silcox, navigator,
Sgt William Grove Spencer,
F/S John William Morton, wireless operator and air gunner,
Sgt Edward Brown, wireless operator and air gunner.

Twenty-five minutes after its take off from RAF Castle Donington, the aircraft entered in a thunderstorm area and went out of control. It dove into the ground and crashed in a field, killing all six occupants.
Crew (28th OTU):
F/O Joseph Starr, pilot,
F/O George David Wills Buchanan, navigator,
Sgt William Corley Davis, air bomber,
Sgt William George Paterson, air gunner,
Sgt James Joseph Urban Stevens, air gunner,
Sgt Richard John Taylor, air gunner.

The aeroplane was an Airspeed Oxford MK 1 registered number L4616 operated by the RAF 3 Flight Instructor School (3 FIS) and was being flown on that day from RAF Lulsgate Bottom. (now the site of Bristol Airport). The aircraft was being flown by Flight Lieutenant (FL) Peter Marshall Cadman DFC (Distinguished Flying Cross) under the instruction of Flying Officer (FO) Harold Henry Victor Roots. Both pilots were attached to 3 FIS. Some time into the training flight, a fire started in the region of the rear of the port engine nacelle that spread to the port engine and wing. It is believed that FO Roots attempted a crash landing but due to damage to the flaps and control surfaces the aircraft dove into the ground at an angle of 30 degrees. The crash was witnessed by a 16 year old farm boy who went to assist but realised the fate of both pilots.
Thanks to Simon Roots for his testimony.