North Luffenham AFB

On final approach to RAF North Luffenham, the four engine aircraft was too low and hit an embankment located about 75 feet short of runway threshold. On impact, the main landing gear were pushed up and punctured the fuel tank. Upon landing, the airplane sank on its belly and came to rest few dozen yards farther. There were no injuries but the aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair.

The crew was completing a night training sortie in RAF North Luffenham. While flying in the vicinity of the airbase, the pilot inadvertently shot down both engines. The aircraft lost speed and height and the crew tried several times to restart the engine without success. In such situation, the captain decided to attempt an emergency landing. The airplane belly landed in a field near the airbase and slid for several yards before coming to rest in flames. While all three crew members were unhurt, the aircraft was destroyed by fire.

While holding for takeoff, the Dakota registered KN551 was hit by another RAF Dakota registered KJ810. The accident occurred in unclear circumstances and there were no injuries. While KJ810 was repaired, KN551 was damaged beyond repair.

During the takeoff roll, clear for rotation, the pilot lost directional control of the aircraft that overran and came to rest. There were no casualties but the aircraft was written off.

Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, the aircraft encountered serious difficulties to gain height and was in a constant stall attitude, with nose up and tail down. The captain increased engine power but the aircraft lost height, hit the ground and crashed in a huge explosion. All seven crew members were killed.
Crew (1653 HCU):
Sgt Anthony Fredrick Barnard Blaikley,
W/O Reginald Thomas Nutting,
Sgt Anthony Bone,
F/Sgt Frank Keighley Dexter,
F/Sgt Alexander John Rossiter,
F/Sgt Alfred Albert Willis Thomas,
Sgt Thomas Edward Valler.

The airplane departed RAF North Luffenham in the evening of April 14 on an operation to Dortmund. After passing the Dutch border, it was shot down by the German Flak and crashed in Straelen, northeast of Venlo. Two crew members were killed and two others became PoW.
Crew:
F/O Billy Stanley Booker, pilot,
F/Sgt William Alexander Coulson Browne, observer, †
Sgt Jack Gledhill, wireless operator, †
Sgt Douglas Forbes Stephen, air gunner.

The airplane departed RAF North Luffenham on an operation to Dortmund. A 2215LT, with an engine on fire, it crashed in Felpham, killing the entire crew.
Crew:
Sgt Stanley Wilson Charles Culmer, pilot,
Sgt Ronald Edward George Nation, navigator,
Sgt James Aitken Hutchison, wireless operator,
Sgt Dennis Manning, air gunner.

The crew departed RAF North Luffenham on test flight. In unknown circumstances, the airplane crashed in Ridlington, killing both occupants.
Crew:
F/Sgt David Lloyd Carnegy Liddell, pilot,
Sgt Harold William Everett, wireless operator.

The airplane departed RAF North Luffenham in the evening of April 10 on an operation to Essen. While returning to base, the crew was forced to make and emergency landing for unknown reasons. The airplane crashed at Wrights Farm in Holbeach. Three crew members were killed and a fourth was injured.
Crew:
Sgt H. D. Smith, pilot,
Sgt William Alexander McMeekin Allen, observer,
Sgt George Frederick Johnston, wireless operator and air gunner,
Sgt Frank Woodfield, wireless operator and air gunner.

The airplane departed RAF North Luffenham on an operation to Essen. It was shot down by a German fighter and crashed in a wooded area located north of Bad Berleburg. Three crew members were killed and a fourth became PoW.
Crew:
Sgt Henry Charles Weeks, pilot, †
P/O David Huntly Johnson, observer, †
Sgt Sydney Rickard, wireless operator and air gunner,
F/Sgt Maurice Young Kennedy, air gunner. †