Norwich | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The crew departed RAF Horsham St Faith in Norwich at 1020LT on an operation to Germany. On return, and while crossing the East Anglia coast at 1220LT, the crew failed to give any recognition signals and the Blenheim was promptly engaged by AA fire from naval ships. Shortly afterwards the tail assembly broke away and the bomber dived into a field 250 yards from the police house at Oulton, 2 miles west-northwest of Lowestoft. All three crew members were killed.
Crew:
F/Lt Guy Jerrold Menzies, pilot,
Sgt Edwin Jones Bonney, observer,
Sgt Roy Tribick, wireless operator.

Probable cause:

Shot down by British AA fire.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim IV into the North Sea: 3 killed

Date & Time: Dec 31, 1940

Type of aircraft:

Bristol 142 Blenheim

Operator:

Registration:

T2328

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Bombing

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Norwich - Norwich

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The airplane departed RAF Horsham St Faith (Norwich) on an operation to Cologne. It was lost without trace, maybe it crashed somewhere in the North Sea. All three crew members were killed.
Crew:
S/L Robert Carleton Beaman,
Sgt Henry Robson,
Sgt Douglas Trigwell.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim IV in Norwich

Date & Time: Dec 17, 1940 at 2150 LT

Type of aircraft:

Bristol 142 Blenheim

Operator:

Registration:

R3744

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

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Schedule:

Norwich - Norwich

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The airplane departed Norwich Airport on an operation to Mannheim. Soon after takeoff, the crew encountered difficulties and jettisoned the bomb load that fell into Bond Street in Norwich. At 2150LT, the airplane crashed near the white House at Sprowston in the northeastern suburbs of the city. Two crews were injured and the third was unhurt.
Crew:
Sgt T. E. Barnes,
Sgt H. S. Seward,
Sgt L. B. Walsh.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim IV into The Channel: 3 killed

Date & Time: Sep 24, 1940

Type of aircraft:

Bristol 142 Blenheim

Operator:

Registration:

T1794

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Bombing

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Norwich - Norwich

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The airplane departed Norwich Airport to attack R-boats operating in The Channel. Shot down by a machine gun while over the target and crashed into the sea. All three crew members were killed.
Crew:
S/L Maxwell Frederick Hendry,
Sgt Vincent Arrowsmith,
Sgt Percival Matthew Davidson.

Probable cause:

Shot down by enemy fire.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim IV in Norwich

Date & Time: Feb 28, 1940 at 1100 LT

Type of aircraft:

Bristol 142 Blenheim

Operator:

Registration:

N6201

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

9300

YOM:

1939

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The airplane crashed upon landing at Norwich Municipal Airport. The pilot was injured.
Crew:
P/O G. H. Pemberton, pilot.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.60M Moth in Norfolk

Date & Time: Sep 2, 1937

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.60 Moth

Operator:

Registration:

G-ABRF

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Norwich - Norwich

MSN:

1794

YOM:

1930

Location:

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Circumstances:

Crashed shortly after takeoff from Norwich Airport. Both occupants were injured.

Crash of a Spartan Three Seater I in Stanton: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 21, 1932

Type of aircraft:

Spartan Three Seater I/II

Operator:

Registration:

G-ABTT

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Heston – Norwich

MSN:

YOM:

1932

Location:

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Circumstances:

En route from Heston to Norwich, while taking part to the 'Morning Post' Air Race, the pilot lost control of the airplane that dove into the ground and crashed into trees near Stanton, Suffolk. The pilot Frank George Gibbons was killed.

Probable cause:

It was believed that the pilot was looking at a map inside the cockpit at the time of the accident. Poor weather conditions may also have contributed to the accident.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.60X Moth in Mousehold Heath: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 19, 1932

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.60 Moth

Operator:

Registration:

G-EBZW

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Norwich - Norwich

MSN:

687

YOM:

1928

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Circumstances:

The pilot Henry C. Wright was performing a private solo flight in the region of Norwich. In unknown circumstances, the aircraft went out of control and crashed in Mousehold Heath, in the suburb of Norwich. The pilot was killed.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.60G Moth in Stag Lane: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 1, 1930

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.60 Moth

Operator:

Douglas Henry Corsellis

Registration:

G-AAEI

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Norwich – Stag Lane

MSN:

993

YOM:

1929

Location:

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Circumstances:

On approach to Stag Lane Airport, the pilot encountered poor visibility due to foggy conditions. On short final, the airplane collided with the perimeter fence and crashed, bursting into flames. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.