Crash of a Boeing B-17G-VE Flying Fortress at RAF Binbrook

Date & Time: Jul 25, 1989 at 1330 LT
Type of aircraft:
Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
Operator:
Registration:
F-BEEA
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cinematography
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Binbrook - Binbrook
MSN:
8552
YOM:
1944
Location:
Binbrook AFB
Lincolnshire
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
11179
Captain / Total hours on type:
2131.00
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll, after about 100 yards, a slight swing to the left developed, which the commander (who was the handling pilot) corrected by partially retarding the power on engines n°3 and 4, and by the use of rudder. Full power was then re-applied on all engines, but the aircraft started to swing to the right. The pilot throttled back engine n°1 and 2, together with the application of rudder, but these actions were not immediately effective. The aircraft did not resume a straight course until it was on the grass to the right of the runway. Knowing that the B17 had been operated from grass runways, the commander elected to continue with the take-off. However, after some 400-500 yards the aircraft swung further to the right, by which time the speed was 90-95 mph. The commander then became aware that the aircraft's path was obstructed by a tree and a pile of gravel. The left wing tip struck the tree and the n°4 propeller struck the gravel. The aircraft yawed to the right, crossed a hollow in the ground and landed in a cornfield beyond. The fuselage broke in two and a fire erupted. All 10 occupants were rescued, among them five were injured, two seriously. The aircraft was totally destroyed by fire.
Probable cause:
The commander was subsequently unable to provide any explanation for the accident, although he suggested that the n°1 engine turbo-compressor may have been 'cutting in and out'. He also considered that the right wheel brake may not have been completely free. One eye witness, an engineer who was familiar with B17 aircraft, saw smoke emanating from the area of the n°3 engine at the start of the take-off. This led him to venture the opinion that this engine may have over-boosted and then suffered a power loss, thus causing the sequential left and right swings.
Final Report:

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson T.21 at RAF Leeming

Date & Time: Sep 23, 1959
Type of aircraft:
Avro 652 Anson
Operator:
Registration:
WJ514
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Binbrook - Leeming
Location:
Leeming AFB
North Yorkshire
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a training flight from RAF Binbrook to RAF Leeming. On touchdown, the tail wheel detached. The airplane swung on runway and went out of control before coming to rest. While both crew members were uninjured, the airplane was considered as damaged beyond repair. Strong cross winds were blowing at the time of the accident.

Crash of an Avro 694 Lincoln B2 in RAF Binbrook: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 18, 1951
Type of aircraft:
Avro 694 Lincoln
Operator:
Registration:
RA712
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Binbrook - Binbrook
Location:
Binbrook AFB
Lincolnshire
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training sortie at RAF Binbrook. After completing several approaches with one engine inoperative, the crew started a new approach when, on final, control was lost. The airplane stalled and hit the ground about 150 yards short of runway threshold. It slid for several yards and eventually collided with two other RAF Avro Lincoln parked on the tarmac. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire and the captain was killed while all five other occupants were injured. It is believed that the loss of control was caused by an insufficient approach speed.

Crash of a Vickers 406 Wellington II in Rosmalen: 5 killed

Date & Time: Aug 7, 1942 at 0255 LT
Type of aircraft:
Vickers 406 Wellington II
Operator:
Registration:
Z8585
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Bombing
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Binbrook - Binbrook
Location:
Rosmalen
North Brabant
Country:
Netherlands
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The airplane departed RAF Binbrook at 0043LT on an operation to Duisburg. It was shot down by a German fighter and crashed in Rosmalen, killing the entire crew.
Crew:
F/Sgt Gilbert Carrington Keats, pilot,
P/O Harold Shaw, observer,
Sgt Peter MacDougall Spence, wireless operator,
Sgt Douglas Ernest Williams, air gunner,
Sgt Bernard John Miller, air gunner.
Probable cause:
Shot down by a German fighter.

Crash of a Vickers 406 Wellington II in Hürth: 5 killed

Date & Time: Aug 1, 1942 at 0251 LT
Type of aircraft:
Vickers 406 Wellington II
Operator:
Registration:
Z8499
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Bombing
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Binbrook - Binbrook
Location:
Hürth
North Rhine-Westphalia
Country:
Germany
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The airplane departed RAF Binbrook at 0028LT on an operation to Düsseldorf. It was shot down by the German Flak and crashed in Hürth, killing the entire crew.
Crew:
P/O Thomas Barrett, pilot,
Sgt Walter Henry Good, pilot,
P/O Frederick Henry Down, observer,
F/Sgt Hugh Lawrence Laxdal, wireless operator,
Sgt Donald William Brett, air gunner.
Probable cause:
Shot down by the German Flak.

Crash of a Vickers 406 Wellington II at RAF Binbrook: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jul 29, 1942 at 2337 LT
Type of aircraft:
Vickers 406 Wellington II
Operator:
Registration:
W5424
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Bombing
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Binbrook - Binbrook
Location:
Binbrook AFB
Lincolnshire
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The airplane departed RAF Binbrook at 2337LT on an operation to Saarbrücken. Almost immediately after liftoff, it went out of control and crashed, killing the entire crew.
Crew:
Sgt Walter Foster, pilot,
Sgt Geoffrey Francis Stephens, observer,
F/Sgt Carl Albert Manchur,
Sgt John William Ernest Ross, wireless operator,
P/O Maxwell Hilton James, air gunner.

Crash of a Vickers 406 Wellington II in Westerholte: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jul 27, 1942 at 0131 LT
Type of aircraft:
Vickers 406 Wellington II
Operator:
Registration:
W5367
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Bombing
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Binbrook - Binbrook
Location:
Westerholte
Lower Saxony
Country:
Germany
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The airplane departed RAF Binbrook at 2305LT on July 26 on an operation to Hamburg. Flying north of Osnabrück, it was shot down by a German fighter and crashed in a field in Westerholte. Four crew members were killed while the pilot became PoW.
Crew:
P/O Alec Stephen Holgate, pilot,
Sgt Robert Frederick Ashby, observer,
F/Sgt Leslie Thomas William Grady, wireless operator,
Sgt Allan Cyril Savory, wireless operator,
Sgt Philip Harry Jackett, air gunner.
Probable cause:
Shot down by a German fighter.

Crash of a Vickers 406 Wellington II at RAF North Coates

Date & Time: Jul 26, 1942 at 0430 LT
Type of aircraft:
Vickers 406 Wellington II
Operator:
Registration:
W5437
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Bombing
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Binbrook - Binbrook
Location:
North Coates AFB
Lincolnshire
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The airplane departed RAF Binbrook at 0023LT on an operation to Duisburg. It returned early due to over heating engines and crashed upon landing at RAF North Coates. All five crew members evacuated safely and the airplane was damaged beyond repair.
Crew:
Sgt W. Foster,
Sgt J. W. E. Ross,
Sgt A. Crawford,
Sgt C. A. Manchur,
Sgt E. W. Green.
Probable cause:
Engine over heating.

Crash of a Vickers 406 Wellington II near Bunschoten: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jul 26, 1942 at 0230 LT
Type of aircraft:
Vickers 406 Wellington II
Operator:
Registration:
Z8591
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Bombing
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Binbrook - Binbrook
Location:
Bunschoten
Utrecht
Country:
Netherlands
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The airplane departed RAF Binbrook at 0014LT on an operation to Duisburg. While cruising at an altitude of 10,000 feet over the target area, it was damaged by the German Flak. The crew decided to return to base but control could not be maintained. The crew transmitted 'probably have to bail out' after which the bomber crashed near Bunschoten. The observer was killed and four other crew members became PoW.
Crew:
W/C Richard C. M. Collard, pilot,
P/O John Wilfred Naden, observer, †
Sgt John Colin Sedgley, bomb aimer,
Sgt Gordon Dakin Pepper, wireless operator,
F/Lt N. Thom, air gunner.
Probable cause:
Shot down by the German Flak.

Crash of a Vickers 406 Wellington II in Zieuwent: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jul 26, 1942 at 0212 LT
Type of aircraft:
Vickers 406 Wellington II
Operator:
Registration:
Z8502
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Bombing
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Binbrook - Binbrook
Location:
Zieuwent
Gelderland
Country:
Netherlands
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The airplane departed RAF Binbrook at 2340LT on July 25 on an operation to Duisburg. Over the Netherlands, it was shot down by a German fighter and crashed in Zieuwent. An air gunner was killed while five other crew members became PoW.
Crew:
S/L Peter Coplestone Lemon, pilot,
Sgt Harrington Trevor Norris, pilot,
P/O Horace William Fluck, navigator,
Sgt Frederick Ernest Peters, wireless operator,
Sgt K Woodcock, air gunner,
F/O Gerald Purdon King, air gunner. †
Probable cause:
Shot down by a German fighter.
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