Crash of an Avro 696 Shackleton MR.2 in Mull of Kintyre: 11 killed

Date & Time: Apr 19, 1968 at 1030 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
WB833
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Ballykelly - Ballykelly
YOM:
1952
Region:
Crew on board:
11
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Circumstances:
The aircraft had taken off from Ballykelly in Northern Ireland on an anti-submarine exercise early on the morning of the 19th April 1968, it is reported to have been tasked with located a Royal Navy submarine that was in the area. The area that day was shrouded in thick sea mist and at about 10:30 the aircraft was heard in the area south of the Mull of the Kintyre shortly after as it climbed up through the mist the aircraft struck rising ground near Garvalt cottage killing all 11 crew members instantly.
Crew:
S/Ldr Robert Clive Leonard Haggett, pilot,
F/O David Robert Burton, pilot,
F/O Michael Creedon, pilot,
F/Lt Roger John Duncan Denny, navigator,
F/Lt George Craigie Fisken, navigator,
Sgt John Richard Frank Creamer, flight engineer,
F/Lt Rodney Hellens, air electronic officer,
F/Sgt Thomas Frederick Anglin Buttimore, air electronic officer,
Sgt Bruce Robert Dixon, air electronic officer,
M/Sig Ronald Cecil Stratton, air signaller,
Sgt Nathaniel Michael Duffy, air signaller.
Source: www.peakdistrictaircrashes.co.uk

Crash of an Avro 696 Shackleton MR.2 at RAF Ballykelly

Date & Time: Apr 1, 1968
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
WR956
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Ballykelly - Ballykelly
YOM:
1953
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a local training flight at RAF Ballykelly. On touchdown, one of the main gear collapsed. The airplane slid for several yards and came to rest. All five crew members escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Undercarriage collapsed on landing.

Crash of an Avro 696 Shackleton MR.2 at RAF Ballykelly

Date & Time: Oct 20, 1961
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
WR968
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Ballykelly - Ballykelly
YOM:
1954
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training mission at RAF Ballykelly. The approach was performed with one engine voluntarily inoperative. After touchdown, the airplane rolled over a long distance then veered off runway and came to rest in flames. All four crew members escaped uninjured while the aircraft was destroyed.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson T.21 near Llandudno: 3 killed

Date & Time: May 20, 1959
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VV955
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Bovingdon – Ballykelly
Location:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a flight from RAF Bovingdon to RAF Ballykelly on behalf of the coastal communications commando. While in cruising altitude, the crew was informed about the deterioration of the weather conditions at destination and was instructed to divert to RAF Valley. Shortly later, while flying in clouds, the airplane struck the slope of Mt Tal y Fan. The aircraft was demolished and all three crew members were killed.

Crash of an Avro 696 Shackleton MR.1A at RAF Ballykelly

Date & Time: Sep 5, 1957
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
WB861
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
YOM:
1952
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Belly landed for unknown reason and came to rest. There were no injuries but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Lockheed P2V-2 Neptune MR.1 near Campbeltown: 9 killed

Date & Time: Oct 10, 1956
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
WX545
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Ballykelly - Ballykelly
Region:
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
The crew was taking part to an antisubmarine exercice from RAF Ballykelly. While cruising by night and limited visibility, the airplane struck the slope of Mt Beinn na Lice located one mile northeast of the Mull of Kintyre Lighthouse. The airplane disintegrated on impact and all nine crew members have been killed.
Crew (36th Squadron):
F/Lt Geoffrey Finding, pilot,
F/O James Alexander Campbell, copilot,
F/O Gilbert Rishton, navigator,
Sgt Cyril Armstrong, flight engineer,
F/Sgt Raymond Fox, radio operator,
F/Sgt Ronald Mark Noble, air signaler,
Sgt Eric Honey, air signaler,
Sgt Bernard Edward Lynn, air signaler,
Sgt Roy Vincent Smith, air signaler.

Crash of an Avro 696 Shackleton MR.1 at RAF Ballykelly

Date & Time: Oct 26, 1954
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VP256
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Ballykelly - Ballykelly
YOM:
1950
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew (269th Squadron) was engaged in a training sortie. During the takeoff run, the pilot-in-command started the rotation but the aircraft did not respond. The captain decided to abandon the takeoff procedure and started an emergency braking maneuver. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft overran and came to rest dozen yards farther. While all seven crew members were unhurt, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Poor flight preparation on part of the flying crew who failed to follow the pre-departure checklist and elected to take off with the elevator locks still engaged.

Crash of an Avro 696 Shackleton MR.2 off Isle of Mull: 10 killed

Date & Time: Dec 11, 1953 at 1730 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
WL746
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Ballykelly - Ballykelly
YOM:
1953
Region:
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed RAF Ballykelly to conduct radar homings on a submarine in the Lough Foyle - Rathlin Island area; this exercise was to be followed by a navigation exercise. The crew completed the anti-submarine procedures and made its last radio call at 1715LT. At 1730LT several civilians on the Isle of Mull heard a low-flying aircraft and an explosion. Wreckage was found on the Isle of Mull and the nearby mainland, although it is not clear whether this wreckage was found on the coastline or further inland. All 10 crew died in the accident. The condition of some of the wreckage indicated an extremely violent impact, but the cause of the accident was never established. In March 1954, further wreckage was found in the Sound of Mull which led experts to conclude that the aircraft appeared to have struck the water whilst turning to starboard in a nose down attitude. A search of the high ground on the Isle of Mull did not reveal any evidence of a glancing impact. Contemporary press cuttings indicate that it crashed in the Sound of Mull with the wreckage being found by the frigate HMS Volage on 13th December 1953. A month later a further cutting reports two bodies being found.
Crew:
F/Lt Fielding Chevallier, pilot,
F/Sgt Arthur Gordon McReavy, pilot,
F/O Horace Alexander Brown, navigator,
P/O Alfred Brinkman, navigator,
Sgt Maurice Wilfred Richard Griffin, flight engineer,
Sgt Patrick William Harrington, flight engineer,
Sgt Lewis Ralph Allen, air signaller,
Sgt Michael Barron Bern, air signaller,
Sgt John Dodd, air signaller,
Sgt Maurice James Griffin, air signaller.
Source: https://www.findagrave.com
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined.

Crash of a Avro 683 Lancaster III in RAF Ballykelly

Date & Time: Aug 14, 1947
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
SW371
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Ballykelly - Ballykelly
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed on takeoff when all four engines failed simultaneously. All five crew members were injured and the aircraft was written off.
Probable cause:
Failure of four engines on takeoff.

Crash of an Avro 683 Lancaster III into the Atlantic Ocean: 7 killed

Date & Time: Mar 20, 1947 at 1150 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
SW290
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Ballykelly - Ballykelly
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
While on a training exercise and flying at a height of 500 feet, the captain decided to reduce his altitude when the aircraft hit the water surface and crashed into the sea about 60 miles northeast of Malin Head, Ireland. The pilot and an officer were rescued while seven other occupants were killed.