Hendon

Consolidated B-24 Liberator

Schedule:

Hendon - Hendon

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On final approach to RAF Hendon, while performing a local training sortie, the aircraft stalled and hit several buildings located 1'100 yards short of the runway threshold. On impact, the aircraft nosed down and crashed on a trolleybus. Both pilots were killed while eight civilians seating in the trolleybus were seriously injured.

Probable cause:

It appears that the crew completed the final approach with an engine voluntarily inoperative. Due to an insufficient approach speed, the aircraft stalled and crashed. Following this accident, training flights with engine shut down will be prohibited at RAF Hendon and will be operated at RAF Bassingbourn.

Crash of a Consolidated B-24C Liberator II off Gibraltar: 16 killed

Date & Time: Jul 4, 1943 at 2307 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

AL523

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Government

Survivors:

Site:

Lockheed 12 Electra Junior

Schedule:

Gibraltar - Hendon

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The Captain Eduard Prchal, the only survivor, confirmed he received the green light from the tower and began the night take-off roll. He pulled the stick back and the aircraft started to climb. At an altitude of 150 feet, he pushed the controls of the aircraft forward to gain speed when he discovered he was unable to pull the stick back. The steering mechanism was jammed or locked. The aircraft then lost height rapidly. The Captain closed the four throttles and warned the others through the intercom "Attention, crash". The aircraft crashed into the sea 16 seconds after take off. The Captain was the only survivor as all 16 other occupants were killed, among them the Polish General and Prime Minister Władysław Sikorski, his daughter Zofia and his Chief of Staff, the Major General Tadeusz Klimecki. The crew was from the 511th Squadron.
Passengers:
Col Victor Cazalet,
Jan Gralewski,
Maj Gen Tadeusz Klimecki,
Adj Adam Kułakowski,
Zofia Leśniowska,
Walter Heathcote Lock,
Col Andrzej Marecki,
Adj Harry Pinder,
Lt Józef Ponikiewski,
Gen Władysław Sikorski
Brig John Percival Whiteley.

Probable cause:

A British Court of Inquiry convened on 7 July 1943 to investigate the crash, following the order by Air Marshal Sir John Slessor of 5 July 1943. On 25 July 1943 the Court concluded that the accident was caused by the "jamming of elevator controls" which led to the aircraft being uncontrollable after take-off. The report noted that "it has not been possible to determine how the jamming occurred" although it ruled out sabotage. Slessor was not satisfied with the report and on 28 July ordered the Court to continue its investigation to find out whether the controls were indeed jammed or not, and if they were, then for what reason. Despite further investigation the Court was unable to resolve Slessor's doubts. The Polish government refused to endorse this report because of the contradictions cited therein, and the lack of conclusive findings.

Crash of a Lockheed 12 Electra Junior on Mt Low Water Tarn: 3 killed

Date & Time: Oct 14, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

LA622

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Ferry

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Ayr – Hendon

MSN:

1277

YOM:

1942

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En route to Hendon, the twin engine aircraft hit the slope of Mt Low Water Tarn located near Coniston, Cumbria. All three occupants were killed, two pilots from the American manufacturer Lockheed and an Inspector of the Royal Air Force.
Crew:
George Werner Bransom, pilot.
Osbourne R. Keith, pilot.
Passenger:
F/O George Bevil Grenfell.

Crash of a Stinson SR-10C Reliant at RAF Hendon

Date & Time: Aug 28, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Stinson SR-10 Reliant

Operator:

Registration:

W7978

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

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MSN:

5904

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Crashed on takeoff. Pilot rescued.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson in Llanfair: 13 killed

Date & Time: Jul 20, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed L-414 Hudson

Operator:

Registration:

N7253

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Sydenham - Hendon

MSN:

414-1649

YOM:

1940

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The twin engine aircraft was performing a flight from RAF Sydenham (Belfast City) to RAF Hendon (Middlesex) with ten VIP passengers and a crew of three on board. While cruising over Wales in poor weather conditions, the aircraft went out of control, dove into the ground and crashed in a pasture located in Llanfair, near Ruthin. All thirteen occupants were killed. It appears at the time of the accident, there was stormy weather with turbulence and it seems the aircraft went out of control after being striked by lightning.

Probable cause:

Aircraft went out of control while flying in thunderstorm activity and may have been struck by lightning.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.89A Dragon Rapide near Dalmellington

Date & Time: Apr 20, 1942

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Registration:

BD143

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MSN:

6344

YOM:

1936

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En route, an engine failed, forcing the pilot to attempt an emergency landing. While approaching a field located in Breston Farm, near Dalmellington, the aircraft hit the ground so violently that the tail was sheared off. The aircraft came to rest and was damaged beyond repair while all eight occupants escaped slightly injured.

Probable cause:

Engine failure.

Ground accident of a De Havilland DH.89A Dragon Rapide in RAF Hendon

Date & Time: Apr 11, 1942

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide

Operator:

Registration:

W6456

Flight Phase:

Taxiing

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De Havilland DH.85 Leopard Moth

MSN:

6342

YOM:

1936

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While taxiing for departure, the aircraft's left tyre burst. The aircraft went out of control, veered off taxiway and came to rest. While all six occupants were unhurt, the aircraft was no repaired.

Probable cause:

Tyre burst.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.85 Leopard Moth in Buscot Park: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 30, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

AW156

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Landing (descent or approach)

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Hendon - Brize Norton

MSN:

7062

YOM:

1934

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The single airplane was on a transit flight from Hendon to RAF Brize Norton when it collided with a RAF Oxford registered N6431 and carrying two crew members. Both airplanes dove into the ground and crashed in Buscot Park, about 11 km southwest of RAF Brize Norton. All three crew members in both airplanes were killed.
Crew:
Sgt Philip Henry Burston, pilot.

Crash of a Percival Q.6 Petrel in Castletown

Date & Time: Sep 10, 1941

Type of aircraft:

Percival Q.6 Petrel

Operator:

Registration:

X9454

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