Crash of a Vickers 408 Wellington IA off Wilhelmshaven: 6 killed

Date & Time: Dec 18, 1939
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N2904
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Feltwell - Feltwell
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
While on a reconnaissance mission, the aircraft was shot down by the pilot of a German fighter. The bomber went out of control and crashed into the sea off Wilhelmshaven. All six crew members were killed.
Crew (on behalf of 37th Squadron):
S/L Ian Victor Hue-Williams, pilot,
F/Lt Thomas Gaufrey Wearmouth Appleby, copilot,
F/O Arthur Richard Vaughan Williams, navigator,
Sgt Alister Raymond Norris, observer,
LAC John Arundel Barstow, wireless operator and air gunner,
LAC Ernest Lowe, air gunner.
Probable cause:
Shot down by a German fighter.

Crash of a Vickers 408 Wellington IA off Borkum Island: 4 killed

Date & Time: Dec 18, 1939
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N2889
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Feltwell - Feltwell
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
While on a patrol mission, the aircraft was shot down by the pilot of a German Messerschmitt Me.110. The bomber went out of control and crashed into the sea off Borkum Island. One crew was injured and rescued while all four other crew members were killed.
Crew (on behalf of 37th Squadron):
F/O Oliver John Trevor Lewis, pilot, †
Sgt Maurice William Barrington-Taylor, navigator, †
P/O Roderick Menzie Ross, navigator, †
AC1 Peter Thomas Jones, wireless operator and air gunner, †
AC1 George Warne Geddes, air gunner.
Probable cause:
Shot down by a German fighter.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.54 Harrow I at RAF Acklington

Date & Time: Nov 11, 1938
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
K6956
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Feltwell - Acklington
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to RAF Acklington, the airplane impacted the ground and crashed short of runway. All five crew members escaped with minor injuries.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.54 Harrow II in Kirk Smeaton

Date & Time: Oct 6, 1938
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
K6991
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Feltwell - Feltwell
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a night training exercise on behalf of the 214th Squadron. While cruising in poor weather conditions, the aircraft was struck by lightning. Few seconds later, an engine failed and the pilot attempted an emergency landing in an open field. While the aircraft was damaged beyond repair, all six occupants were rescued.
Probable cause:
Emergency landing after being struck by lighting.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.54 Harrow II at RAF Hendon

Date & Time: Jul 23, 1938
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
K7017
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Feltwell – Hendon
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft landed too far down the runway and was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran and collided with trees before coming to rest. All three occupants escaped unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.54 Harrow I in Radlett

Date & Time: Mar 25, 1937
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
K6940
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Feltwell - Radlett
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The airplane departed RAF Feltwell on a ferry flight to Radlett where the crew was supposed to take delivery of other Handley Page H.P.54 Harrow. On final approach to Radlett Airport, the airplane was too low and collided with a train (the 1025 L.M.S. express from St. Pancras to Manchester which was travelling at 60 mph). It lost its undercarriage and crashed in a field in Napsbury. All six crew members were injured, two seriously.