Crash of an Avro 683 Lancaster B3 in Heathrow

Date & Time: Oct 23, 1947
Type of aircraft:
Avro 691 Lancastrian
Operator:
Registration:
G-AGUL
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
London-Heathrow - London-Heathrow
YOM:
1945
Location:
London-Heathrow
London Metropolis
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a night training mission in London-Heathrow Airport. On touchdown, the aircraft went out of control, ground looped and came to rest. All four crew members were unhurt while the aircraft christened 'Star Watch' was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of an Avro 685 York C.1 in London-Heathrow

Date & Time: Jul 25, 1947
Type of aircraft:
Avro 685 York
Operator:
Registration:
G-AIUP
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Berlin – London
MSN:
1374
YOM:
1946
Location:
London-Heathrow
London Metropolis
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
17
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After landing, the four engine aircraft encountered brakes problem and was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran and came across a river 250 yards further on. All 24 occupants were evacuated safely, four of them were slightly injured. The aircraft was written off.
Probable cause:
Failure of brake systems due to a broken cable, probably due to an excessive use during the preceding days.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.70 Halifax VIII in Heathrow

Date & Time: Jun 5, 1947
Type of aircraft:
Handley Page H.P.70 Halifax VIII
Operator:
Registration:
G-AIHW
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Valencia - London
MSN:
1357
YOM:
1946
Location:
London-Heathrow
London Metropolis
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Following a wrong approach configuration, the aircraft landed very hard. After being parked on apron, the technician proceeded to a complete inspection which revealed that the fuselage was buckled. The aircraft was declared as damaged beyond economical repair.
Probable cause:
Wrong approach configuration on part of the crew who failed to follow the published approach procedure and failed to complete a correct flare, causing the aircraft to land hard.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.70 Halifax VIII off Knokke-Heist: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 26, 1946 at 0600 LT
Type of aircraft:
Handley Page H.P.70 Halifax VIII
Operator:
Registration:
G-AHZN
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Bergamo – London-Heathrow
MSN:
1328
YOM:
1946
Location:
Knokke-Heist
West Flanders
Country:
Belgium
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
Enroute, the pilot encountered technical problems and was unable to receive Radio Navigation Directional Bearings. To avoid any fuel shortage, he decided to ditch the aircraft off Knokke-Heist in the early morning. The aircraft landed about 100 yards offshore and sank. While all three crew members were able to swim to the beach, the passenger, a Norwegian citizen, was drowned. The aircraft was carrying a load of grapes.
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