Saint Athan AFB | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The crew departed RAF St Athan on a navigation exercice. While cruising at low height in poor visibility, the twin engine airplane impacted a hill and crashed north of Rhossili. All four crew members were killed.
Crew:
Sgt William Charles Parkes, pilot,
LAC Andrew Roberts Sutcliffe,
LAC Frederic Arthur Webster,
AC2 William Ledsham.

Probable cause:

Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson I on Mt Mynydd Maendy: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jan 7, 1940 at 1430 LT

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed L-414 Hudson

Operator:

Registration:

N7256

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Test

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Saint Athan - Saint Athan

MSN:

414-1652

YOM:

1939

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The crew departed RAF St Athan to test a new Anti Surface Vessel system. En route, the airplane deviated from the prescribed route. While cruising in limited visibility due to low clouds, the airplane impacted the slope of Mt Mynydd Maendy located near Nant-y-Moel. All five occupants were killed.
Crew:
Sgt Francis Frederick Bousfield, pilot,
Sgt Frank Foster Hallam, pilot,
LAC Arthur Wilfred Smith, wireless operator and air gunner.
Passengers:
Robert Kyd Beattie, civilian contractor,
Peter Ingleby, civilian contractor.

Probable cause:

Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson I in Prestwick

Date & Time: Jan 5, 1940 at 1505 LT

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed L-414 Hudson

Operator:

Registration:

N7250

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Saint Athan – Prestwick

MSN:

414-1646

YOM:

1939

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On final approach to Prestwick Airport, the pilot-in-command opened the throttle with flaps fully extended. The airplane stalled and crashed. All four occupants were injured.
Crew:
P/O A. P. Davis,
Sgt J. Gosling,
AC1 E. Pearce,
Cpl E. Graham.

Probable cause:

Pilot error on final approach.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim IV on Mt Ben Inner: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 8, 1939

Type of aircraft:

Bristol 142 Blenheim

Operator:

Registration:

P4848

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Perth – Saint Athan

MSN:

9363

YOM:

1939

Location:

Mt Ben Inner

Dumfries and Galloway

Country:

United Kingdom

Region:

Europe

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En route from Perth to RAF Saint Athan, the twin engine airplane impacted the slope of Mt Ben Inner located near Carsphairn. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Crew:
F/Lt Kenneth Norman Masters Eyres, pilot.

Probable cause:

Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson I off Bude

Date & Time: Oct 19, 1939 at 2150 LT

Type of aircraft:

Avro 652 Anson

Operator:

Registration:

N5055

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Saint Athan – Cleave

Location:

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Circumstances:

The crew departed RAF St Athan on a night training exercice to RAF Cleave. En route, one of the engine failed, forcing the pilot to ditch the airplane that crashed in shallow water off Bude. All four crew members evacuated the cabin but only three reached the shore as the pilot drowned.
Crew:
P/O Joseph Wendell Boreham,
P/O Harry James Winch,
Sgt Peter Chris Cunningham,
AC1 Clifford Douglas Bradbury.

Probable cause:

Engine failure in flight.