The Channel

The aircraft had departed Exeter on a flight to Guernsey when, during the climb to FL35, a slight smell of fumed was noticed in the cockpit. By the time the aircraft had passed SKERRY, by some four to five nm, smoke was seen coming from under the right hand instrument panel. The pilot asked the passenger to investigate the source, but he reported that he could see no burning. The pilot then informed Jersey control of their situation and advised that he was returning direct to Start Point, the nearest land on the coast. After changing to Exeter Radar, the pilot initiated a descent in case an immediate ditching should prove necessary, and briefed his passenger to don a life-jacket. He also directed the passenger to sit at the rear of the cabin, adjacent to the door, so that he would be ready to deploy the life-raft through the upper half of the door if they had to ditch. As the density of the smoke and fumes increased, the pilot elected to carry out a controlled ditching, fearing that if he tried to reach the coast he would be overcome by the fumes. However, he stated that he was reluctant to open the cabin air vents in case this escalated any hidden fire, and he did not turn off the master switch since he required the radios to maintain contact with Exeter Radar. The pilot transmitted a Mayday call, giving a full position report, and at 200 feet amsl he shut down both engines and feathered the propellers. He estimated the sea-well was between eight and ten feet but, since a strong wind was blowing (20 knots), he decided to land into-wind. The aircraft contacted the water at approximately 70 knots, plunging into a swell which generated an impact which the pilot later described as 'tremendous'.The aircraft, however, floated for some one and a half minutes before sinking, enabling both occupants to safely escape from the rear door. The pilot reported that, once in the water, it took them an estimated 20 minutes to get the life-raft inflated, but their life-jackets provided adequate support during this period. Although the pilot advised that flares and a handheld radio were being carried on board the aircraft, these were lost during the ditching. After approximately 45 minutes, an SAR helicopter from RAF Chivenor arrived on scene, recovered both survivors, and took them to hospital in Exeter. The pilot, who was wearing a lap and diagonal restraint, and the passenger, who was wearing only a lap strap, were largely uninjured.

Parked at RAF Mildenhall, the Hercules was stolen by USAF Sgt Paul Meyer who wanted to fly back to the US to join his wife. After a night takeoff, he headed south over The Channel when he lost control of the airplane that crashed into The Channel some 48 km north of Alderney Island. The aircraft was destroyed and the sole occupant was killed. It was reported that the Sgt did not hold any pilot licence and was not authorized to takeoff.

The crew left RAF Thornaby at 0200LT on a SAR mission, looking for another RAF Lancaster that disappeared the preceding evening. The following morning, the aircraft failed to return to its base and other SAR operations were conducted, without success. No trace of the aircraft nor the crew was found. It was lost without trace.
Crew (279th Squadron):
F/Sgt D. Anderson,
F/Sgt C. E. F. Blake,
F/Sgt E. E. W. King,
Sgt D. C. Maclean,
F/Sgt S. H. Mortimer,
F/O K. F. Parmenter,
W/O K. W. Robinson,
F/Sgt R. W. Vickers.

The aircraft was on its way to Brussels with one female passenger from the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (LAC Margaret Mary Walsh) and photographic materials. Enroute, the twin engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances into The Channel, about ten miles southeast of Ramsgate. SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the six occupants was found.

The single engine aircraft was performing a special flight from the RAF Twinwood Farm, Bedfordshire, to Paris-Le Bourget, with two crew members and the famous American Musician and Director Glenn Miller who was flying to Paris to give a concert to the US, British and French soldiers based in the city of Paris recently released. En route, the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances into The Channel and no trace of it nor the crew was ever found. Rumors were relayed by British daily newspapers on the fact that the plane may have been shot down mistakenly by British gunfire, but this was never proven.

En route from Villacoublay to RAF Barkston Heath, the crew encountered poor weather conditions (low clouds and rain showers). The aircraft crashed into The Channel and no trace was ever found.

The crew was taking part to the Normandy invasion. For unknown reason, the bomber christened 'Daisy Mae Scraggs' crashed into The Channel. Five crew members were rescue by a French fishermen while all five other occupants were killed.
Crew (446th BG):
1st Lt James Q. Ogden,
2nd Lt Raymond J. Morris,
2nd Lt William L. Lauten,
2nd Lt Walter R. Allaman,
T/Sgt Lewis B. Leedy,
T/Sgt George H. Rupard,
S/Sgt George E. Griffith,
S/Sgt William R. Nace,
S/Sgt William A. Sawyer,
S/Sgt Frank D. Dileva.

The crew was involved in a supply mission over France, taking part to the Normandy invasion. While returning to its base in England, the aircraft crashed into the sea for unknown reason. Two crew members were killed.

The crew was returning to his base in RAF Folkingham following a supply mission by the Normandy invasion. It appears the aircraft was hit by enemy fire and the captain attempted to ditch the aircraft into The Channel. While the aircraft sunk and was lost, all four crew members were rescued.

The crew was taking part to the D-Day over Normandy and was towing a glider. While returning to his base in England, the crew was forced to ditch the aircraft into The Channel. While the aircraft sunk and was lost, all four crew members were rescued.