Vickers 619 Wellington X

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MF627

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Crashed in unknown circumstances near Sheffield. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and all three crew members were injured.

Crash of a Vickers 619 Wellington X in RAF Hullavington: 4 killed

Date & Time: Oct 15, 1952

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Registration:

RP319

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

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Hullavington - Hullavington

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The crew was engaged in a local training sortie at RAF Hullavington. Shortly after takeoff, while climbing in freezing fog conditions, the airplane encountered difficulties to gain height, hit the corner of a hangar and crashed in flames. All four crew members were killed.

Probable cause:

It was determined that the aircraft stalled during initial climb due to an excessive accumulation of frost on all surfaces. It is believed that the crew did not prepare the flight properly and failed to remove the contaminants prior to take off. Accumulation of frost on wings, fuselage and stabilizers increased weight, reduced lift and modified the aerodynamic properties.

Crash of a Vickers 619 Wellington X in RAF Lichfield: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 13, 1952

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Registration:

RP387

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Lichfield - Lichfield

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The crew was completing a local training sortie at RAF Lichfield. During the approach completed in IMC conditions, the pilot-in-command deactivated the automatic pilot system and decided to continue manually under VFR rules. In heavy rain falls, he did not realize that the aircraft was losing height when it crashed in a field short of runway threshold. Two crew members were injured while the third occupant was killed.

Probable cause:

Wrong approach configuration on part of the crew.

Craysh of a Vickers 619 Wellington X in RAF Thorney Island

Date & Time: Aug 20, 1952

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Registration:

PG136

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Thorney Island - Thorney Island

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On touchdown at RAF Thorney Island, one of the main landing gear collapsed. The aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair and there were no casualties.

Probable cause:

Undercarriage collapsed on landing.

Ground accident of a Vickers 619 Wellington X in RAF Lichfield

Date & Time: Jul 22, 1952

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Registration:

PF966

Flight Phase:

Taxiing

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Lichfield - Lichfield

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Hit a building with one of its wings while taxiing at RAF Lichfield. There were no casualties but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Vickers 619 Wellington X in RAF Thorney Island: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 21, 1952

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Registration:

NA868

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Thorney Island - Thorney Island

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The crew was performing a local training sortie at RAF Thorney Island. During the final approach completed with one engine voluntarily inoperative, the aircraft stalled and crashed in a field located few hundred yards short of runway threshold. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and both crew members were killed.

Probable cause:

The stall on final approach was caused by an insufficient approach speed because the crew failed to monitor the speed indicator with one engine out. The distance between the aircraft and the ground when the stall occurred was too low to expect a recovery.

Crash of a Vickers 619 Wellington X in RAF Thorney Island

Date & Time: Apr 18, 1952

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Registration:

PG296

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The crew was completing a local training sortie at RAF Thorney Island. During the final approach completed with an engine voluntarily inoperative, the pilot-in-command lost control of the airplane when the second engine failed. The aircraft stalled and belly landed in a field located short of runway. There were no casualties.

Probable cause:

Engine failure.

Crash of a Vickers 619 Wellington X near Le Vigan: 7 killed

Date & Time: Feb 8, 1952

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Registration:

RP383

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Military

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Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Northolt – Luqa

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While cruising in poor weather conditions and at an insufficient altitude, the aircraft hit the slope of a mountain shrouded in clouds. The wreckage was found near Le Vigan, about 45 km north of Montpellier. All seven crew members were killed. It was determined that the aircraft was slightly off course at the time of the accident, maybe following a navigational error on part of the crew. The poor visibility caused by low clouds was considered as a contributory factor.

Crash of a Vickers 619 Wellington X in RAF Lindholme

Date & Time: Dec 31, 1951

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Registration:

PG416

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