Cambridgeshire

Flight Type:

Military

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Circumstances:

On final approach to RAF Bassingbourn, the aircraft rolled left and right then stalled and crashed short of runway. All crew survived while the aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause:

Loss of control on short final following an engine failure.

Crash of a Vickers 290 Wellington I at RAF Bassingbourn

Date & Time: Jun 25, 1940

Type of aircraft:

Vickers 290 Wellington I

Operator:

Registration:

L4222

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Vickers 408 Wellington IA

Schedule:

Bassingbourn - Bassingbourn

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Circumstances:

The crew was completing a local training flight at RAF Bassingbourn. For unknown reason, the aircraft landed hard. Upon touchdown, the undercarriage sank and the aircraft slid for few dozen yards before coming to rest. All four crew members escaped uninjured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Vickers 408 Wellington IA in Ely: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 6, 1940

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N2993

Flight Phase:

Flight

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Circumstances:

While on a training mission, the airplane crashed near Ely after the pilot was blinded in the glare from searchlight. Both crew members were killed.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim IV at RAF Alconbury: 3 killed

Date & Time: May 24, 1940 at 2100 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

R3614

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Bombing

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Alconbury - Alconbury

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Circumstances:

The airplane departed RAF Alconbury at 1745LT on a mission over Aachen. On return to base, the starboard engine seized and the airplane spun into the ground and crashed, killing all three crew members.
Crew:
P/O Duncan Henderson, pilot,
Sgt Arthur Noel Holmes, observer,
LAC Ronald William Austin, air gunner.

Probable cause:

Engine failure on approach.

Crash of a Vickers 290 Wellington I at RAF Bassingbourn

Date & Time: May 13, 1940

Type of aircraft:

Vickers 290 Wellington I

Operator:

Registration:

L4378

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Bassingbourn - Bassingbourn

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Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff, while on a training mission for the 11th OTU, the aircraft stalled and crashed in a wooded area, bursting into flames. There were no casualties.

Probable cause:

Engine failure.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim I at RAF Upwood

Date & Time: Apr 14, 1940 at 1420 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

L1264

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Upwood - Upwood

MSN:

8547

YOM:

1938

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Captain / Total flying hours:

3070

Captain / Total hours on type:

235.00

Circumstances:

The pilot was completing a local solo training flight at RAF Upwood. After landing, the pilot mistakenly retracted the landing gear instead of raising the flaps. This caused the aircraft to slid on its belly and to be damaged beyond repair. The pilot was uninjured.
Crew:
S/L Hurll Fontayne Chester, pilot.

Probable cause:

Pilot error.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim IV at RAF Upwood: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 6, 1940

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

P6918

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Upwood - Upwood

MSN:

9443

YOM:

1939

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Circumstances:

The airplane crashed upon takeoff from RAF Upwood for unknown reasons. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Crew:
Sgt J. D. Stein, pilot.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim I at RAF Upwood

Date & Time: Mar 12, 1940 at 1000 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

L1396

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site: