Bitburg AFB

Following an uneventful flight from Bitburg, the pilot was cleared for an approach to Karlsruhe-Baden Baden Airport Runway 21. On final approach, while completing a sharp turn to the left to join the runway, the twin engine airplane stalled and crashed in an open field, bursting into flames. The pilot was seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire. The wreckage was found about 500 metres from the runway threshold and 350 metres to the left of the runway extended centerline.

Crashed on takeoff at Bitburg AFB while engaged in a local training mission. All six occupants were killed. The airplane stalled after rotation for undetermined reason.

The crew was engaged in a training mission, completing some tests for a new radar system on behalf of the 199th Squadron based at RAF Hemswell. While cruising by night at an altitude of 17,000 feet over the region of the Bitburg Airbase, the four engine aircraft collided with a USAF Sabre registered 52-3933 and carrying one pilot. Following the collision, the pilot of the Sabre ejected and was found alive. Unfortunately, the Lincoln lost a part of a wing, dove into the ground and crashed in an uninhabited area located near the Luxembourg border, killing all six crew members. At the time of the accident, the crew of the Avro was flying without any navigation lights for undetermined reason.

On approach to Bitburg AFB, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with snow falls. Too low, the airplane hit tree tops and crashed in a dense wooded area located about 24 km north of the airbase. All five crew members were killed.