Crash of an Avro 683 Lancaster I in Ellingstring: 6 killed
Date & Time:
Oct 4, 1944 at 1200 LT
Operator:
Registration:
NF963
Survivors:
Yes
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a navigation exercise over England. En route, the captain leaves the controls to the Flight Engineer, a quite common practice by the RAF in case the captain would be injured. In such case, another crew member would be able to continue the flight. En route, at least one engine failed. Before the captain could re-gain control, the aircraft dove into the ground and broke in mid-air before crashing in a pasture. Six crew members were killed while the captain was seriously injured.
Crew:
F/O Stanley Herbert Hayter, pilot,
Sgt Leon Asher Bassman, flight engineer, †
F/O Thomas Yestyn Thomas, navigator, †
F/O Robert Ranui Bradshaw, bomb aimer, †
Sgt Arthur Joseph Pearce, wireless operator and air gunner, †
Sgt John Patrick Sheridan, air gunner, †
Sgt James McVey, air gunner. †
Crew:
F/O Stanley Herbert Hayter, pilot,
Sgt Leon Asher Bassman, flight engineer, †
F/O Thomas Yestyn Thomas, navigator, †
F/O Robert Ranui Bradshaw, bomb aimer, †
Sgt Arthur Joseph Pearce, wireless operator and air gunner, †
Sgt John Patrick Sheridan, air gunner, †
Sgt James McVey, air gunner. †
Probable cause:
Engine failure.
