Blackburn B-26 Botha

Operator:

Registration:

L6384

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While engaged in a training flight, the airplane suffered an engine failure and crashed into the sea off Balintore. All crew members were rescued.

Probable cause:

Engine failure in flight.

Crash of a Blackburn B-26 Botha I in Port Erin: 5 killed

Date & Time: Mar 12, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

L6314

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Squires Gate - Squires Gate

MSN:

7870/11

YOM:

1941

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The airplane departed RAF Squires Gate on a training exercise. While cruising in low visibility, it impacted a cliff located near the bay of Port Erin. All five crew members were killed.
Crew (3rd SGR):
F/Sgt Leonard Charles Storey, pilot,
Sgt Bernardus Maria,
P/O Leonard Dobson,
AC2 William James Sydney J. Heap, wireless operator,
P/O John Albert Williams, wireless operator.

Probable cause:

Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a Blackburn B-26 Botha I in Luce Bay: 4 killed

Date & Time: Mar 11, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

L6396

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Location:

Luce Bay

Dumfries and Galloway

Country:

United Kingdom

Region:

Europe

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

For unknown reasons, the crew lost control of the airplane that crashed on sand dunes located in Luce Bay, northwest of Port William. All four crew members were killed.
Crew (4th AOS):
Sgt John K. Westwater, pilot,
F/Sgt Norman Collins-Campbell, observer,
Cpl James Craig,
LAC Sealand D. Jones.

Crash of a Blackburn B-26 Botha I on Mt Cairnsmore of Fleet: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 2, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

L6539

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Location:

Mt Cairnsmore of Fleet

Dumfries and Galloway

Country:

United Kingdom

Region:

Europe

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

In unclear circumstances, the airplane impacted the slope of Mt Cairnsmore of Fleet and crashed. A crew member was killed and three others were injured.
Crew:
LAC Douglas James Thom, wireless operator, †
Sgt A. Dixon,
LAC R. C. Phillips,
LAC D. J. Ross.

Crash of a Blackburn B-26 Botha I at RAF Turnberry: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 23, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Landing (descent or approach)

Operator:

Registration:

L6211

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Turnberry - Turnberry

MSN:

7866/8

YOM:

1940

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was completing a local training exercise at RAF Turnberry on behalf of the 3rd Radio School. On final approach, the pilot-in-command initiated a go around procedure when one of the engine failed. The airplane stalled and crashed, bursting into flames. Three crew members were injured and a fourth was killed. The next day, one of the survivors died from injuries sustained.
Crew:
Sgt William Tyndall Sheppard, †
Sgt Esmond Elliott Browne, †
Sgt T. F. Mayho,
Sgt C. Balmain.

Probable cause:

Engine failure.

Crash of a Blackburn B-26 Botha I in New Brighton

Date & Time: Feb 7, 1942 at 1920 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

L6249

Flight Phase:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

North Coates - Squires Gate

MSN:

7866/46

YOM:

1940

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The airplane was on a reconnaissance flight from RAF North Coates to RAF Squires Gate. After passing Liverpool, while flying over the Mersey River, it collided with the cable of a barrage balloon and crash landed in New Brighton. Both crew members were injured.
Crew:
F/O Jackson-Smith,
P/O Griffin.

Probable cause:

Collision with the cable of a barrage balloon.

Crash of a Blackburn B-26 Botha into the Irish Sea: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jan 17, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

L6213

Flight Phase:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

MSN:

7866/10

YOM:

1940

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The airplane failed to return to base following a maritime patrol flight over the Codling Bank and is believed to have crashed somewhere in the Irish Sea. Lost without trace.
Crew:
W/O W. J. Jewell,
F/O M. Prusek,
F/O S. Gruszecki,
AC1 J. W. March.

Crash of a Blackburn B-26 Botha I in Bridge of Dumfries

Date & Time: Jan 6, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

L6466

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Location:

Dumfries and Galloway

Country:

United Kingdom

Region:

Europe

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The airplane suffered an engine failure and crash landed in Bridge of Dumfries. Upon touchdown, it lost its undercarriage and came to rest. There were no injuries among the crew.

Probable cause:

Engine failure in flight.

Crash of a Blackburn B-26 Botha I on Mt Bleaklow: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 10, 1941

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

W5103

Flight Phase: