Avro 683 Lancaster | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The crew was completing a local training exercise at RAF Waddington with a crew of seven on board. For unknown reasons, the airplane landed at too high a speed. After touchdown, it was unable to stop within the remaining distance, overran, lost its undercarriage and came to rest. All seven crew members escaped uninjured and the airplane was damaged beyond repair.
Crew (97th Squadron):
Sgt J. A. Rowan Parry +6.

Probable cause:

Excessive speed upon landing.

Crash of an Avro 683 Lancaster I at RAF Skellingthorpe

Date & Time: Feb 7, 1942 at 1440 LT

Type of aircraft:

Avro 683 Lancaster

Operator:

Registration:

L7542

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Skellingthorpe - Skellingthorpe

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Aircraft flight hours:

Circumstances:

On final approach to RAF Skellingthorpe, the captain misinterpreted the wind sock's position. During the last segment, he realized he was approaching the wrong runway and decided to make a sharp turn to land on another runway more suitable according to the wind component. This caused the airplane to struck violently the runway surface. Upon impact, it lost its undercarriage and slid for several yards before coming to rest. All eight crew members escaped uninjured and the airplane was damaged beyond repair. Brand new, it accumulated six flying hours only. First accident involving an Avro 683 Lancaster.
Crew (44th Squadron):
F/Sgt D. F. Nicholson +7.

Probable cause:

Misinterpretation of the wind sock on part of the captain.