Martlesham Heath AFB | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The airplane departed RAF Marham at 2014LT on August 29 on an operation to Mannheim. While returning to base the following night, it was probably shot down by an intruder and crashed near RAF Martleham Heath. Five crew members were killed and a sixth was seriously injured. The only survivor died on September 1st from injuries sustained.
Crew:
Sgt John Kemp Murdoch, pilot,
Sgt Francis James McGaw, pilot,
F/Sgt Alfred Forse, observer,
Sgt William Henry Blades, wireless operator,
F/Sgt John William Boyce, wireless operator,
Sgt Wilfred John Cowell, air gunner.

Probable cause:

Shot down by a German fighter.

Crash of a Vickers 406 Wellington II at RAF Driffield

Date & Time: Aug 23, 1941 at 1145 LT

Type of aircraft:

Vickers 406 Wellington II

Operator:

Registration:

W5477

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Martlesham Heath - Driffield

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The airplane was on a transit flight from RAF Martlesham Heath to RAF Driffield. It crashed upon landing and was destroyed. All six crew members were injured.
Crew:
Sgt F. R. Richardson,
P/O Murdoch,
Sgt R. J. Mountier,
Sgt Scott,
Sgt B. W. Robbens,
Sgt A. D. F. Craig.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim IV in Philippine: 3 killed

Date & Time: Aug 12, 1941 at 1253 LT

Type of aircraft:

Bristol 142 Blenheim

Operator:

Registration:

V5859

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Bombing

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Martlesham Heath - Martlesham Heath

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The airplane departed RAF Martlesham Heath at 1000LT on a fighter support mission. Over the Netherlands, it was shot down by the German Flak and crashed in Philippine. All three crew members were killed.
crew:
F/Lt Hugh Stewart Young, pilot,
Sgt John Albert Anderson, observer,
P/O Alexander Charles Rossiter, wireless operator.

Probable cause:

Shot down by the German Flak.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim I off Felixstowe: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 19, 1940 at 0125 LT

Type of aircraft:

Bristol 142 Blenheim

Operator:

Registration:

L6636

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Martlesham Heath - Martlesham Heath

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While on a maritime patrol flight, the airplane was shot down by a German fighter and crashed into the sea off Felixstowe. Both crew members were killed.
Crew:
P/O John S. Barnwell, pilot,
Sgt Kenneth L. Long.

Probable cause:

Shot down by a German fighter.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim IF at RAF Martlesham Heath

Date & Time: May 12, 1940

Type of aircraft:

Bristol 142 Blenheim

Operator:

Registration:

P4834

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Martlesham Heath - Martlesham Heath

MSN:

9349

YOM:

1939

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The crew departed RAF Martlesham Heath on a mission over the Netherlands. Approaching the Dutch coast, the airplane was hit by enemy fire. The crew evacuated the area and returned to his base when the aircraft crashed upon landing, bursting into flames. Both crew members were injured.
Crew:
F/Lt C. D. S. Smith, pilot,
AC1 A. W. Newton, wireless operator and air gunner.
Sources:

Probable cause:

Hit by enemy fire.

Crash of a Bristol 130 Bombay I at RAF Martlesham Heath: 3 killed

Date & Time: Aug 23, 1939

Type of aircraft:

Bristol 130 Bombay

Operator:

Registration:

L5808

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Martlesham Heath - Martlesham Heath

MSN:

SH.1

YOM:

1935

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Shortly after take off from RAF Martlesham Heath, while in initial climb, the aircraft stalled, nosed down and crashed in a huge explosion. All three crew members were killed.
Crew:
F/Sgt Cecil Eneder Higgins,
LAC John Reginald Machin,
AC1 Douglas Treadwell.

Probable cause:

Loss of control during initial climb because of wrong setting of the pitch trim elevator.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim I in Ordford Ness

Date & Time: Dec 14, 1938

Type of aircraft:

Bristol 142 Blenheim

Operator:

Registration:

L1201

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Martlesham Heath - Martlesham Heath

MSN:

8484

YOM:

1938

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The crew was forced to make an emergency landing when the aircraft belly landed in Ordford Ness. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Vickers 271 Wellington at RAF Martlesham Heath: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 19, 1937

Type of aircraft:

Vickers 271 Wellington

Operator:

Registration:

K4049

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Test

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Martlesham Heath - Martlesham Heath

MSN:

YOM:

1936

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Circumstances:

The crew was performing a test flight on this first prototype (271 model). Shortly after takeoff from RAF Martlesham Heath, while climbing, the twin engine aircraft stalled and crashed past the runway end. A pilot was killed while the second one was seriously injured.
Crew:
F/Lt Maurice Hare,
AC1 George Peter Smurthwaite. †

Probable cause:

The cause of the crash was attributed to elevator overbalance in a high speed dive, which resulted in inversion and structural failure.

Crash of a Boulton & Paul P.64 in Martlesham Heath: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 21, 1933

Type of aircraft:

Boulton & Paul P.64 Mailplane

Operator:

Boulton & Paul Industry

Registration:

G-ABYK

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Test

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Martlesham Heath AFB - Martlesham Heath AFB

MSN:

P.64

YOM:

1933

Location:

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Circumstances:

The pilot, sole on board, was engaged in a local test flight on this machine that was built by Boulton & Paul's factory seven months ago. During initial climb, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed. The pilot was killed.