Crash of an Airspeed AS.10 Oxford II near Turvey: 2 killed

Date & Time: Oct 7, 1940 at 1530 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N4729
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Cranfield - Cranfield
MSN:
2459
YOM:
1940
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
500
Circumstances:
The crew departed RAF Cranfield on a training flight. While cruising at low height, the airplane collided with a tree and crashed near Newton Park Farm, about one mile southwest of Turvey. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.
Crew:
F/O James Frederick Bridge, pilot,
LAC Jack Henry Kissner, pilot.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the pilot was flying less than 100 feet above the ground and had flown into bright sun, which hampered his vision. It was also stated that, although James Bridge had a total of nearly 500 flying hours, he had not had much experience of flying dual in an Oxford and this may have been a contributory factor.

Crash of an Airspeed AS.10 Oxford I in Tongaporutu: 3 killed

Date & Time: Sep 30, 1940
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NZ1251
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Hobsonville – Ohakea
MSN:
562
YOM:
1940
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
En route from Hobsonville to Ohakea, the twin engine aircraft crashed in an uninhabited area. As the airplane failed to arrive at destination, SAR operations were initiated but eventually abandoned as no trace of the aircraft nor the crew was found. In March 1941, walkers found the wreckage in an isolated zone. According to the RNZAF, the aircraft have been built in Hobsonville and was on its way to be delivered at Ohakea Airport. All three crew members were killed.
Crew:
F/O Harry Nalder Major,
F/Sgt Sheldon Smith,
Cpl Raymond Smith.

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

Date & Time: Sep 19, 1940
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
L4619
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Brize Norton - Brize Norton
MSN:
86
YOM:
1938
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to Brize Norton Airport, while on a local training flight, the twin engine aircraft crashed for unknown reason. Both pilots from the 2nd OTU were injured.
Crew:
LAC L. R. Horie +1.

Crash of an Airspeed AS.10 Oxford II near Brize Norton: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 11, 1940
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N4802
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Brize Norton - Brize Norton
MSN:
2518
YOM:
1940
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training sortie at Brize Norton Airfield. While on a night approach, the airplane impacted trees and crashed. Both crew members were injured and Sgt Robert Staveley Aitchison died the next day from injuries sustained.

Crash of an Airspeed AS.10 Oxford I at Woodbourne AFB: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 7, 1940 at 2245 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NZ271
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Woodbourne - Woodbourne
MSN:
493
YOM:
1940
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot was engaged in a night solo training flight out from Woodbourne AFB. After liftoff, while in initial climb, the twin engine aircraft encountered difficulties to gain height. The pilot initiated a sharp turn when the aircraft stalled and crashed. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was killed.
Crew (2nd SFTS):
LAC Thomas Denbee.

Crash of an Airspeed AS.10 Oxford I at RAF Brize Norton

Date & Time: Aug 5, 1940
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N4636
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Brize Norton - Brize Norton
MSN:
2581
YOM:
1940
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training flight out from RAF Brize Norton. In unknown circumstances, the twin engine airplane hit an obstacle after takeoff, forcing the crew to return for an emergency landing. The aircraft belly landed and was damaged beyond repair. Both crew members were uninjured.

Crash of an Airspeed AS.10 Oxford II at RAF Brize Norton

Date & Time: Jul 30, 1940
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
P8924
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Brize Norton - Brize Norton
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training flight at RAF Brize Norton. While on a night approach, the airplane was too low and collided with a haystack and crashed. Both pilots were uninjured.

Crash of an Airspeed AS.10 Oxford I near Christchurch: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jul 22, 1940 at 0915 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NZ262
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Wigram - Wigram
MSN:
481
YOM:
1940
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a training flight and departed Wigram AFB in the early morning. While flying in the Kaituna Valley, some 20 km south of Christchurch, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and low visibility due to fog. The twin engine aircraft impacted a mountain slope and was destroyed. All four crew members were killed.
Crew (1st SFTS):
P/O William Krogh,
LAC Archibald Hull,
LAC Herbert von Tunzelman,
AC1 Albert Duffell.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of an Airspeed AS.10 Oxford I off Llandudno: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jul 18, 1940
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
L4654
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Brize Norton - Brize Norton
MSN:
121
YOM:
1938
Location:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The crew departed RAF Brize Norton on a routine training sortie. En route, the twin engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances some 40 km off Llandudno. A crew was rescued while the second was killed. The aircraft sank and was lost.
Crew:
Sgt Bernard Clive Kirkland +1.

Crash of an Airspeed AS.10 Oxford I at RAF Sealand: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 17, 1940
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
L4618
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Sealand - Sealand
MSN:
85
YOM:
1938
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a local training mission out from RAF Sealand. While flying in the vicinity of the airbase, the twin engine aircraft collided with a RAF Miles M.9 Master registered N7432 and carrying a crew of two (one instructor and one student pilot). Both aircraft crashed in a field located in Shotton, near the airport. All four crew members were killed. The crew on board the Oxford consisted of two brothers.
Crew (5th FTS):
Sgt Eric Edwin Heaton Osgood,
Sgt Ronald Arthur. Osgood.