Crash of a Short S.29 Stirling in Earith: 8 killed
Date & Time:
Jan 17, 1942 at 1540 LT
Operator:
Registration:
W7467
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Oakington - Oakington
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
The airplane departed RAF Oakington on a cross-country training exercise. Following an unauthorized attack from a Hurricane I V6865 from 56 OTU, both airplanes collided and crashed in Earith. All eight crew members on board the Stirling and the pilot of the Hurricane were killed.
Crew:
S/L John Noel Mahler, pilot,
P/O Ronald Wilkins Taylor, pilot,
Sgt Edward Blacklaw, flight engineer,
P/O James Douglas Waddell, navigator,
Sgt Francis Joseph Lloyd, wireless operator,
P/O Alan John Low, air gunner,
Sgt Walter James Mankelow, air gunner,
Sgt James McCarley, air gunner.
Crew:
S/L John Noel Mahler, pilot,
P/O Ronald Wilkins Taylor, pilot,
Sgt Edward Blacklaw, flight engineer,
P/O James Douglas Waddell, navigator,
Sgt Francis Joseph Lloyd, wireless operator,
P/O Alan John Low, air gunner,
Sgt Walter James Mankelow, air gunner,
Sgt James McCarley, air gunner.
Probable cause:
The pilot of the fighter misjudged his closing speed and collided with the bomber.
