Zone

Crash of an Armstrong Whitworth AW.38 Whitley V in Porton Down: 4 killed

Date & Time: Apr 21, 1942
Operator:
Registration:
Z9158
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Tempsford - Tangmere
MSN:
2292
YOM:
1941
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The airplane departed RAF Tempsford to drop leaflets over the region of Saint-Etienne, France. On returning to their briefed landing
airfield at RAF Tangmere, the crew encountered a very thick mist and were ordered to divert to RAF Boscombe Down. While doing so the Whitley, flying too low, crashed and caught fire on the experimental range at Porton Down. Four crew members were killed and the air gunner was injured.
Crew:
P/O Ivan Anderson Miller, pilot, †
Sgt Raymond Fred Shaddick, pilot, †
F/Sgt Walter John Edward Lines, observer, †
Sgt Sydney William Francis Leigh, wireless operator, †
Sgt K. Hubbard, air gunner.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a Vickers FB.27 Vimy Commercial in Porton Down: 1 killed

Date & Time: Feb 12, 1926
Registration:
J7451
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Old Sarum - Old Sarum
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The crew departed Old Sarum Airfield on an exercise with this aircraft that was equipped for smoke screen work. En route, the crew encountered limited visibility due to foggy conditions and attempted to make an emergency landing when the aircraft clipped trees and crashed. A crew member was killed and two others were injured.
Crew:
S/L Alfred George Horsley-Carr, †
Sgt William Norman Pink,
AC2 Clifford Bartlett Cardall.