Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim I at RAF Finmere

Date & Time: Apr 13, 1943 at 1943 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
L8379
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Finmere - Finmere
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a local training flight at RAF Finmere. The goal of the flight was to show the effect of taking off in coarse pitch. During the takeoff roll, one of the engine failed. The instructor pilot retracted the undercarriage in order to remain within the confines of the airfield. Both crew escaped uninjured while the airplane was damaged beyond repair.
Crew:
F/O Donald George Mossman, instructor pilot,
P/O E. R. Semple, student pilot.
Probable cause:
Engine failure during the takeoff roll.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim IVF in Matlock: 3 killed

Date & Time: Apr 7, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
V6078
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Ashbourne - Ashbourne
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a navigation exercise out from RAF Ashbourne. The airplane impacted trees and crashed in an open field located in Matlock, killing all three crew members.
Crew:
P/O John Barry Welton, pilot,
Sgt Leslie Harold Redford, observer,
Sgt Eric Desmond Murphy, wireless operator and air gunner.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim I at RAF East Fortune: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 2, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
L1119
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
East Fortune - East Fortune
MSN:
8402
YOM:
1938
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 local solo training flight. Almost immediately after a night takeoff, the airplane went out of control and crashed near the airbase. The pilot was killed.
Crew:
Sgt John Donald Radcliffe, pilot.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim IV on Mt Elidir Fawr: 3 killed

Date & Time: Mar 31, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
V6099
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Bicester - Bicester
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The crew departed RAF Bicester on a cross country navigation exercise. While cruising in limited visibility, the airplane impacted the north slope of Mt Elidir Fawr located near Llanberis. The wreckage was found near the summit and all three crew members were killed.
Crew:
F/O Edward Alexander Perry, pilot,
P/O Geoffrey Ian Gunter, observer,
Sgt Henry Applegarth, wireless operator and air gunner.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim V at RAF Harlaxton: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 29, 1943 at 0940 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
AZ861
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Harlaxton - Harlaxton
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot was performing a local solo training flight at RAF Harlaxton. While on a single engine approach, the pilot completed a turn into the wind at an altitude of 500 feet when the airplane stalled and crashed, bursting into flames. The pilot was killed.
Crew:
F/Lt Henry Ernest Trumper, pilot.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim I in Athelstaneford: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 29, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
L6691
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
East Fortune - East Fortune
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot departed RAF East Fortune on a local solo training flight. Shortly after a night takeoff, while climbing, the pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed in Athelstaneford, southwest of the airbase. The pilot was killed.
Crew:
Sgt Bernard Carey, pilot.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim I in Stroxton: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 29, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
L1437
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Harlaxton - Harlaxton
MSN:
8720
YOM:
1939
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot was performing a local solo training flight at RAF Harlaxton. On approach, he decided to initiate a go around when he lost control of the airplane that crashed in Stroxton, south of the airbase. The airplane was destroyed and the pilot was killed.
Crew:
F/Sgt Anthony Lorenz, pilot.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim V near Jodhpur

Date & Time: Mar 28, 1943 at 0530 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
BA931
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The airplane suffered a bird strike and crashed 8 km southeast of Jodhpur, bursting into flames. All three crew members escaped with minor injuries.
Probable cause:
Bird strike.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim Vc in Haddington: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 28, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
BA201
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
East Fortune - East Fortune
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot departed RAF East Fortune on a local solo training flight. While circling at night in the vicinity of the airbase, the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances in Haddington, some 5 km southwest of the airfield. The pilot was killed.
Crew:
Sgt Albert Moore, pilot.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim I at RAF Darley Moor

Date & Time: Mar 28, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
L1234
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Darley Moor - Darley Moor
MSN:
8517
YOM:
1938
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a local training flight at RAF Darley Moor. On final, the crew attempted an overshoot when one of the engine lost power. The airplane stalled and crashed. Both crew members were slightly injured.
Probable cause:
Loss of engine power.