Cherbourg-Maupertus | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

Shortly after takeoff from Cherbourg-Maupertus Airport, while in initial climb, engine problems forced the crew to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed in an open field near the airport and came to rest. There were no casualties.

Probable cause:

The crew was forced to attempt an emergency landing after one of the propeller mistakenly auto-feathered during initial climb.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson C.19 in Cherbourg

Date & Time: Jun 12, 1963

Type of aircraft:

Avro 652 Anson

Operator:

Registration:

VM388

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was supposed to land at Cherbourg-Maupertus Airport but was unable to locate the airfield due to a limited visibility caused by foggy conditions. Low fuel reserve forced the crew to attempt an emergency landing on a beach in Cherbourg. While both occupants were unhurt, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Bristol 170 Freighter 31M in Guernsey: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 1, 1961 at 1426 LT

Type of aircraft:

Bristol 170 Freighter

Operator:

Registration:

G-ANWL

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Cherbourg – Saint Peter

MSN:

13260

YOM:

1956

Location:

Saint Peter-La Villiaze

Channel Islands

Country:

United Kingdom

Region:

Europe

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

8143

Captain / Total hours on type:

471.00

Copilot / Total flying hours:

3315

Copilot / Total hours on type:

486

Circumstances:

The aircraft was making a daylight scheduled vehicle and passenger public transport flight from Cherbourg, France and during an attempt to land at Guernsey in conditions of low cloud the captain missed his approach. He opened up the engines to go round again, but the aircraft failed to gain height. Veering to the right it flew a short distance with the starboard propeller rotating slowly until the starboard wing struck the ground, and the aircraft cartwheeled. The passenger cabin broke away from the main wreckage which caught fire. Both pilots were killed. The steward and all 7 passengers aboard were seriously injured. The accident occurred at 1416LT.

Probable cause:

The accident was due to the malfunctioning of the automatic pitch coarsening unit of the starboard propeller. This deprived the captain of the necessary degree of control of the aircraft at a critical stage of the flight.

Final Report:

Crash of a Miles M.57 Aerovan IV near Cherbourg

Date & Time: Jan 12, 1947

Type of aircraft:

Miles M.57 Aerovan

Operator:

Air Contractors - UK

Registration:

G-AIKV

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

London - Saint Peter

MSN:

6389

YOM:

1946

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was performing a flight from London to Saint Peter, on Guernsey Island. Approaching the island, weather conditions worsened and the crew decided to divert to Cherbourg Airport. Few minutes later, apparently due to fuel exhaustion, the crew was forced to make an emergency landing on a beach located 15 km east of Cherbourg. The aircraft landed and rolled few dozen meters before coming to rest. All eight occupants were able to leave the cabin and were uninjured. Unfortunately, the aircraft was later partially destroyed by tide.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-75-DL off Cherbourg: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jun 6, 1944

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

42-100914

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Exeter - Exeter

MSN:

19377

YOM:

1943

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was taking part to the D-Day in Normandy and was flying back to his base in Exeter after dropping 17 paratroopers. While just flying over The Channel, the aircraft was shot down by the German Flak and crashed into the sea some 10 miles north of Cherbourg. All four crew members were killed.

Probable cause:

Shot down by the German Flak.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-75-DL near Cherbourg

Date & Time: Jun 6, 1944

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

42-101006

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

19469

YOM:

1944

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was taking part to the D-Day over Normandy. After all paratroopers bailed out, the aircraft was hit by the German Flak. The pilot was able to make an emergency landing in a field near Cherbourg. While all four crew members were rescued, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Crew (99th TCS):
1st Lt Harvey W. Doering Jr., pilot,
2nd Lt Thomas R. Westrope, copilot,
Sgt John A. Delistovic, radio operator,
T/Sgt James E. Smith, flight engineer.

Probable cause:

Shot down by the German Flak.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-70-DL near Cherbourg: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jun 6, 1944

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

42-100803

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Ramsbury - Ramsbury

MSN:

19266

YOM:

1943

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was taking part to the D-Day over Normandy. After all paratroopers bailed out, the aircraft was shot down by the German Flak, dove into the ground and crashed in a field near Cherbourg. All four crew members were killed.
Crew:
Lt Donald W. Handegaard 3.

Probable cause:

Shot down by the German Flak.

Crash of a North American B-25 Mitchell in Cherbourg: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 26, 1943

Type of aircraft:

North American B-25 Mitchell

Operator:

Registration:

FR146

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While on a bombing mission in the region of Cherbourg, the twin engine aircraft was hit by the German Flak. The pilot reduced his altitude and attempted to make an emergency landing when the aircraft crashed in an open field. Two crew members were killed while two others were injured.

Probable cause:

Shot down by the German Flak.

Crash of a North American B-25 Mitchell in Cherbourg: 4 killed

Date & Time: Oct 28, 1943

Type of aircraft:

North American B-25 Mitchell

Operator:

Registration:

FR174

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Bombing

Survivors:

Site:

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While taking part to a bombing mission over Cherbourg, the aircraft was hit by the German Flak and crashed in an open field. All four crew were killed.
Crew (320th Squadron):
Cap A. J. van Dieren Bijvoet, pilot,
C. van der Knaap, pilot and navigator,
Pierre Fortunus van Woesik, wireless operator
A. G. van Apeldoorn, air gunner.

Probable cause:

Shot down by the German Flak.