Bristol-Filton

The weather at the departure airfield consisted of a light and variable wind, good visibility and a temperature of 20ºC. At the start of the take-off run the aircraft, which was being flown by the copilot, who is also an experienced pilot with some 60 hours on type, began to swing to the right. Corrective action caused it to swing to the left but, after further correction,the aircraft continued accelerating and swing to the right. The Bristol Freighter is well known for its tendency to swing on takeoff. The commander joined the co-pilot on the controls and attempted to assist in correcting the right-hand swing. It became apparent to the pilots that they would be unable to prevent the aircraft running over the edge of the runway and, as there were people standing by the edge and a small control tower building behind them, they applied full up-elevator in an effort to avoid a collision. Because of the low airspeed at which this occurred, the aircraft stalled and the left wing tip hit the ground. This caused the aircraft to turn so that it was then travelling sideways which resulted in the landing gear collapsing as it touched the runway. The aircraft then slid off the runway onto the grass. There was no fire and the only injuries were sustained by three of the aircraft passengers.

The Bristol 175 had just completed a test flight of 1 and 40 minutes. Tests included a strain-gauge measurements on the non-standard propeller of the no. 2 engine, and high speed upset manoeuvre recovery tests in connection with the US certification. Returning to Filton, the aircraft entered a circuit and partial gear extensions occurred for unknown reasons. Attempts may have been made to complete undercarriage free fall tests as these had failed the previous day; such test were not on the programme however. At 1500 feet a left turn to base leg was initiated. The right wing suddenly dropped and the aircraft went into a very steeply banked right hand turn. The Britannia briefly recovered but banked steeply again and struck the ground in a wood near a residential area.

The crew (Bristol pilots and engineers and KLM pilots) was performing a test flight out from Bristol-Filton Airport. About seven minutes after takeoff, the engine number three temperature rose. The engine was shut down and later restarted as the temperature cooled. While climbing to an altitude of 10,000 feet, the temperature rose again and the engine exploded. The fire could not be extinguished and as a precaution, it was decided to shot down the engine number four and to return to Filton. On approach, both left engines stopped but were quickly restarted. In such conditions, the captain decided to attempt a belly landing in the Severn estuary, off Littleton-upon-Severn. All 13 occupants escaped with minor injuries while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Source:
http://www.bristol-britannia.com/p/history-of-romeo-x-ray.html

The aircraft was an MK.2 version and was recently converted to a 21 version. This flight was the second test one for the certification program. About 34 minutes after it left Bristol-Filton Airport, the airplane went out of control, dove into the ground and crashed in a field located in Cowbridge, south of Wales. All four occupants (three Bristol's engineers and one pilot) were killed.

The crew consisting of pilots and engineers of the Bristol Aeroplane Company left Bristol-Filton Airport at 1003LT for a test flight to obtain engine and propeller datas in specific flight conditions. While cruising off the Isle of Portland, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and dove into The Channel. Some debris were found 26 km off the Portland's lighthouse and all seven crew members were killed.

The pilot, sole on board, departed Bristol-Filton Airport on a ferry flight to RAF St Athan. On final approach, both engines failed. The airplane lost height, clipped trees and crashed. The pilot was injured.
Crew:
P/O Jerzy Drewiecki, pilot.

On approach to RAF Westonzoyland in rain falls, the engine failed. The airplane stalled and crashed on a hedge. The pilot was injured and both passengers were unhurt.

The pilot departed RAF Boscombe Down on a solo ferry flight to Bristol-Filton Airport. On final approach, the airplane stalled and crashed, killing the pilot P/O George Edward Stansbury.

On approach to Yeovil-Westland Airport, the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances near Western Avenue. The pilot escaped.

On final approach to Bétheniville AFB, the aircraft stalled and crashed in a field short of runway. Four passengers were killed.
Crew (271st Squadron):
Sgt William H. Whitfield, pilot, †
Sgt H. J. Barnwell, pilot, †
Passengers:
F/O Alister C. J. Percy, †
Sgt W. H. Whitfield, †
Sgt H. C. Adams,
F/S F. T. Avent,
Sgt D. B. Crabtree,
Sgt J. Davis,
P/O B. L. Duckenfield,
AC1 A. F. Holdsworth,
LAC A. L. W. Holt,
F/O B. J. R. Brady.