Oxfordshire

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Flight Type:

Survivors:

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Schedule:

Harwell - Harwell

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Shortly after take off from RAF Harwell, while in initial climb, the crew encountered engine problems and the captain attempted to make an emergency landing in a field located in West Ilsley. The aircraft crash landed and came to rest, bursting into flames. All crewmen were unhurt while the aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause:

Engine failure.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim IV at RAF Bicester

Date & Time: Mar 27, 1940 at 2115 LT

Type of aircraft:

Bristol 142 Blenheim

Operator:

Registration:

P6929

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

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Site:

Armstrong Whitworth AW.38 Whitley

Schedule:

Bicester - Bicester

MSN:

9454

YOM:

1940

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Undershot and crashed into the bomb-dump during a night landing at RAF Bicester. All three crew members were injured.
Crew:
P/O E. R. Hale +2.

Crash of an Armstrong Whitworth AW.38 Whitley III in RAF Abingdon: 3 killed

Date & Time: Mar 12, 1940 at 1145 LT

Type of aircraft:

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Registration:

K8960

Flight Phase:

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Schedule:

Abingdon - Abingdon

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Shortly after take off, while climbing to a height of some 200 feet, the pilot started a turn when the aircraft stalled and crashed on the base mess. All three crew members were killed while there was no casualties on ground.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim I at RAF Upper Heyford: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 7, 1940

Type of aircraft:

Bristol 142 Blenheim

Operator:

Registration:

L1209

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

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Schedule:

Upper Heyford - Upper Heyford

MSN:

8492

YOM:

1938

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After a night takeoff, while climbing, the pilot lost control of the airplane that dove into the ground and crashed in a field located 3 km east of the airbase, bursting into flames. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Crew:
P/O Kenneth Frederick Fisk, pilot.

Crash of an Airspeed AS.10 Oxford I in Brize Norton

Date & Time: Mar 6, 1940

Type of aircraft:

Airspeed AS.10 Oxford

Operator:

Registration:

L4554

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Handley Page H.P.52 Hampden

MSN:

YOM:

1937

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On final approach to RAF Brize Norton, the twin engine aircraft impacted trees and crashed in a wooded area. Both crewmen were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause:

Too low approach on part of the crew.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.52 Hampden I at RAF Upper Heyford

Date & Time: Mar 4, 1940

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

P1270

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Armstrong Whitworth AW.38 Whitley

Schedule:

Upper Heyford - Upper Heyford

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Shortly after a night takeoff, the pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed, bursting into flames. The pilot was injured.
Crew:
P/O W. G. C. Edmonds, pilot.

Crash of an Armstrong Whitworth AW.38 Whitley II at RAF Abingdon: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 10, 1940 at 2145 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

K7255

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Abingdon - Abingdon

MSN:

1243

YOM:

1938

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The crew was performing a night training mission out from RAF Abingdon. While completing a circuit at low height on approach to the airfield, the aircraft hit trees and crashed in Boars Hill, bursting into flames. Two crewmen were killed while the third occupant was injured.
Crew (97th Squadron):
P/O Orley Whitney Bligh, †
Sgt Reginald Frederick Clyde Dupe, †
AC2 R. T. Casson.

Probable cause:

Poor judgment on part of the crew while performing an approach by night.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim IV at RAF Bicester

Date & Time: Jan 10, 1940

Type of aircraft:

Bristol 142 Blenheim

Operator:

Registration:

L8873

Flight Phase:

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Schedule:

Bicester - Bicester

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The airplane crashed upon landing at RAF Bicester and was damaged beyond repair. Both crew members were injured.
Crew:
Sgt D. N. Wittaker,
Sgt J. Friendly.

Crash of a Vickers 290 Wellington I at RAF Harwell

Date & Time: Jan 10, 1940

Type of aircraft:

Vickers 290 Wellington I

Operator:

Registration:

L4371

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