Finningley AFB (Doncaster)

Flight Type:

Bombing

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Driffield - Driffield

MSN:

1616

YOM:

1939

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The aircraft departed RAF Driffield on a mission to Bapaume, Pas-de-Calais. Few minutes after take off, a fire erupted in the cargo compartment. The captain ordered the crew to bail out and sole on board, diverted to RAF Finningley for an emergency landing. After touchdown, the aircraft went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest, bursting into flames. The pilot was unhurt while the aircraft was destroyed. All four other crew members were later recovered alive.
Crew (77th Squadron):
P/O Andrew Woodrow Dunn, pilot,
P/O C. J. D. Montague,
Sgt Lucas, observer,
AC1 Alan Leigh Kennedy, wireless operator,
AC2 Martin, air gunner.

Probable cause:

It was determined that a fire erupted in the cargo compartment after a flare self ignited in flight for undetermined reason.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.52 Hampden I at RAF Finningley

Date & Time: May 31, 1940

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Registration:

L4174

Flight Phase:

Flight

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Finningley - Finningley

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Crashed in unknown circumstances two miles west of RAF Finningley while performing a local training flight. Both pilots were uninjured.
Crew:
Sgt Frederick Michael Wilkes, pilot,
AC1 William Herbert Arthur Everson, wireless operator and air gunner.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.52 Hampden I at RAF Finningley

Date & Time: Nov 19, 1939

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Registration:

L4166

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Schedule:

Finningley - Finningley

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The pilot was completing a local solo training flight at RAF Finningley. Following several touch and go, he landed hard. The airplane went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest against a hedge. The pilot was uninjured.
Crew:
Sgt Harold Shields.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.52 Hampden I in Haxey

Date & Time: Nov 11, 1939

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Registration:

L4186

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Schedule:

Finningley - Finningley

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The crew departed RAF Finningley on a low level bombing practice. The airplane crashed in unknown circumstances in Haxey, 11 km east of the airbase. A crewman was injured and the second was unhurt.
Crew:
P/O A. B. Loew,
Sgt W. Styles.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.52 Hampden I at RAF Finningley

Date & Time: Oct 30, 1939 at 1700 LT

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Registration:

L4167

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Schedule:

Hemswell – Finningley

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On a night approach to RAF Finningley, one of the engine failed. The pilot initiated a go around when the airplane rolled to left, causing the left wing to struck the ground. The undercarriage were torn off and the airplane crashed. All three crew members evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Crew:
P/O William Frank Tudhope, pilot,
AC2 E Ross, wireless operator and air gunner,
AC2 H. MacDougal, air gunner.

Probable cause:

Engine failure on final approach.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.52 Hampden I at RAF Finningley

Date & Time: Oct 24, 1939

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Registration:

L4175

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Finningley - Finningley

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The pilot was completing a local solo training flight. On approach at night, he failed to realize his altitude was too low. On final, the aircraft collided with trees and crashed. The pilot was slightly injured.
Crew:
P/O Alan Claude Dier, pilot.

Probable cause:

Too low approach.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.52 Hampden I at RAF Finningley

Date & Time: Oct 14, 1939 at 1750 LT

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Registration:

P1170

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Military

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Schedule:

Hemswell – Finningley

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After landing at Doncaster Airfield, the pilot inadvertently taxied the aircraft on cinders which caused the undercarriage to collapse. As the cinders were still hot, the airplane caught fire and was destroyed. All four crew members evacuated safely.
Crew:
P/O K. Jones.

Probable cause:

Pilot error.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.52 Hampden I at RAF Finningley: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 5, 1939

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

L4161

Flight Phase:

Flight

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Schedule:

Finningley - Finningley

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The pilot departed RAF Finningley on a solo training flight. While flying with one engine voluntarily inoperative, the pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed near Doncaster Airport. The pilot was killed.
Crew:
P/O Anthony Richard Playfair.

Probable cause:

An investigation found that it was possible that the pilot had shut down one engine to practice single engine flying but he had lost control and the aircraft had entered a steep dive from which he was only partially able to recover before it then dived vertically into the ground at high speed and at a steep angle.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.52 Hampden I in Beckingham: 5 killed

Date & Time: May 23, 1939

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

L4155

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type: