Great Dunmow AFB | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

On short final to RAF Great Dunmow, the single engine aircraft stalled and crashed in flames in Easton Lodge, about 400 meters from the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed by fire and all three occupants were killed, among them the pilot James A. Brown.

Crash of a Boeing B-50D-90-BO Superfortress in Great Dunmow: 11 killed

Date & Time: Nov 6, 1952 at 2350 LT

Type of aircraft:

Boeing B-50 Superfortress

Operator:

Registration:

48-091

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Upper Heyford - Upper Heyford

MSN:

15900

YOM:

1948

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The crew was performing a routine training mission out of RAF Upper Heyford. En route, the pilot lost control of the airplane that dove into the ground and crashed in a field located two miles west of Great Dunmow. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 11 crew members were killed. It was later reported that the airplane was carrying a load of ammunition that exploded for several hours, hampering the rescuers' mission.

Probable cause:

It is believed that the loss of control was caused by gale. Also, the assumption that the pilot-in-command lost his orientation was not ruled out.

Crash of a Short S.29 Stirling IV in Oslo: 24 killed

Date & Time: May 10, 1945

Type of aircraft:

Short S.29 Stirling

Operator:

Registration:

LK297

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Great Dunmow - Oslo

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The crew was performing a flight from RAF Great Dunmow to Oslo-Gardermoen Airport, taking part to the operation christened 'Doomsday' of releasing Norway from the German occupation. The descent was started in poor weather conditions with low clouds, fog and rain showers. On approach, while too low, the aircraft hit the slope of a mountain and crashed, killing all 24 occupants.
Crew (190th Squadron):
S/Ldr Douglas Raymond Robertson,
F/Lt Norman Leslie Roseblade,
F/Lt Lemuel Ernest Prowse,
F/Sgt Arthur Gwynne Davies,
F/Sgt Ronald Alderson,
W/O George Edward Thompson.
Passengers:
Mar J. R Scarlett-Streatfield,
Maj Petter Cato Juliebø,
Cpl Sidney George Rayner,
Pvt Frederick Sainty,
Pvt Edward Waby,
Pvt Herbert William Woodward,
Pvt David William Cooper,
Pvt Walter Robert Lovett,
Pvt Walter William Elliott,
Pvt Kenneth John Watts,
Pvt George Walton,
Pvt Michael Mullen Wade,
Pvt Francis Gerard Trainor,
Pvt John Shannon,
Pvt Clarence Sutherland,
Pvt William Rodger,
Pvt Edmund Charles Monk,
Pvt Frank George McGlynn.
Source: http://ktsorens.tihlde.org/flyvrak/sorkedalen.html

Crash of a Avro 683 Lancaster II in Great Dunmow: 8 killed

Date & Time: Feb 5, 1944 at 2020 LT

Type of aircraft:

Avro 683 Lancaster

Operator:

Registration:

DS827

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

RAF Witchford - RAF Witchford

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The crew was performing a night training exercise on behalf of the 115th Squadron. While cruising, the aircraft went out of control and crashed in a field in Great Dunmow, Essex. All eight occupants were killed.
Crew:
Sergeant W. J. B. Bishop, pilot,
Sergeant C. G. Magness, navigator,
Sergeant J. C. Speechly,
Sergeant R. E. Green,
Sergeant J. Carless,
Sergeant P. F. Palmer,
Sergeant H. D. Clough,
1st Lieutenant C. A. Weber.