Hunsdon AFB | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The crew was involved in a training mission when flying off Clacton-on-Sea, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed into the sea some 200 yards off shore. Both crew members were killed.
Crew (85th Squadron):
P/O Hugh M. McKiernan, pilot,
P/O Geoffrey M. Brearley, observer.

Crash of a Douglas A-20 Havoc II at RAF Hunsdon

Date & Time: Dec 16, 1941

Type of aircraft:

Douglas A-20 Havoc/DB-7 Boston

Operator:

Registration:

AH473

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Hunsdon - Hunsdon

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

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Circumstances:

The crew was conducting a GCI training flight at RAF Hunsdon. On final approach, at a height of 100 feet, both engines lost power. The airplane stalled and landed hard, causing the undercarriage to collapse. The airplane was damaged beyond repair and both crew members were injured.

Probable cause:

Loss of engine power on final.

Crash of a Douglas A-20A Havoc II at RAF Hunsdon: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 21, 1941

Type of aircraft:

Douglas A-20 Havoc/DB-7 Boston

Operator:

Registration:

AH432

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Hunsdon - Hunsdon

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

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Circumstances:

The crew departed RAF Hunsdon at 1545LT on a local training exercise. While flying in the vicinity of the airbase at low height, the airplane collided with trees and crashed, bursting into flames. Two crew members were killed and a third was injured.
Crew:
P/O Maurice Charles Woodgate, pilot, †
Sgt Smith, observer,
Sgt Arthur Edward Norrish, wireless operator. †

Crash of a Douglas A-20A Havoc II in Deal: 2 killed

Date & Time: Oct 31, 1941 at 2005 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas A-20 Havoc/DB-7 Boston

Operator:

Registration:

AH520

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Hunsdon - Hunsdon

Location:

Country:

Region:

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Circumstances:

The airplane was returning to base at RAF Hunsdon following a maritime patrol flight when it crashed for unknown reasons in Deal. Both crew members were killed.
Crew:
W/Cdr Arthur Thomas Drake Sanders, pilot,
F/O Sydney Austin.

Crash of a Douglas A-20A Havoc I at RAF Hunsdon: 2 killed

Date & Time: Oct 22, 1941

Type of aircraft:

Douglas A-20 Havoc/DB-7 Boston

Operator:

Registration:

AX912

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Hunsdon - Hunsdon

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was completing a local training exercise at RAF Hunsdon. While on approach, the airplane suffered an engine failure, stalled and crashed. A pilot was killed while the second occupant was seriously injured. The only survivor die five days later from injuries sustained.
Crew:
P/O Joseph Alfonse Deneys, pilot,
Sgt John Reginald Jackson, pilot.

Probable cause:

Engine failure on approach.

Crash of a Douglas A-20 Havoc I off Southend-on-Sea: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 15, 1941 at 0115 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas A-20 Havoc/DB-7 Boston

Operator:

Registration:

AX848

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Hunsdon - Hunsdon

Location:

Country:

Region:

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Circumstances:

The crew departed RAF Hunsdon at 2355LT on June 14 on a maritime patrol flight. The airplane failed to return to base and is believed to have crashed into The Thames, maybe off Southend-on-Sea. Both crew members were killed.
Crew:
F/Sgt Thomas Colquhoun Edmonds Berkeley,
Sgt Reginald Carr.

Crash of a Douglas A-20 Havoc I in Bishop's Stortford

Date & Time: May 13, 1941

Type of aircraft:

Douglas A-20 Havoc/DB-7 Boston

Operator:

Registration:

BJ495

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Hunsdon - Hunsdon

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was returning to RAF Hunsdon following a patrol mission. While flying in IMC conditions, the airplane suffered an instrument failure. Both crew members bailed out and were rescued. The airplane dove into the ground and crashed in Bishop's Stortford.

Probable cause:

Instrument failure in flight.