Silloth AFB

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Survivors:

Yes

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Schedule:

Silloth - Silloth

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Circumstances:

On final approach to RAF Silloth, at a height of less than 10 feet, the aircraft stalled and hit the runway surface. While the aircraft was damaged beyond repair, both pilots were unhurt.

Probable cause:

It seems the approach speed during the last segment was insufficient.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson I in RAF Silloth: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jan 13, 1943

Type of aircraft:

Landing (descent or approach)

Operator:

Registration:

T9322

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Silloth - Silloth

MSN:

414-2357

YOM:

1941

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On final approach to RAF Silloth, while completing a training exercise, the twin engine aircraft crashed in flames short of runway. All four occupants were killed.
Crew (1st OTU):
Sgt Cyril Ring,
Sgt Douglas Whitham Sanderson,
Sgt F. C. Zurbrigg,
W/O J. L. G. Belanger.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson V off RAF Silloth: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jan 11, 1943

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

AM863

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Silloth - Silloth

MSN:

414-2945

YOM:

1941

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While on a training sortie from RAF Silloth, the twin engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances into the Solway Firth, few miles off shore. All four crew members were killed.
Crew:
F/O E. A. van den Bogaert,
F/O F. Schut,
Cpl B. Corporaal,
LAC A. F. Post.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson I off RAF Silloth: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jan 4, 1943 at 1028 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N7308

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Silloth - Silloth

MSN:

414-1704

YOM:

1940

Location:

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Circumstances:

The crew was involved in a training exercise including single engine practice. En route, the aircraft stalled and crashed into the Solway Firth, few hundred yards off shore. All three crew members were killed.
Crew (1st OTU):
Sgt D. J. Wearne, pilot,
Sgt Leo Francis Ryan, navigator,
P/O R. D. Hall.
Source: Alan Storr Compilation

Probable cause:

A Report into the accident, the Wg Cdr RAF Silloth stated : “ I commenced giving Wearne a check dual on Hudson N7308 previous to him flying solo. The behaviour of the aircraft was normal in every way. After about one hours flying I authorised Wearne to carry out various solo practices including single engine flying. I am quite satisfied that this pilot was quite competent to carry out the practices detailed. The pupil was a good average pilot who had been flying quite well that morning. I consider that the faulty handling of the engine controls referred to by the Investigating Officer caused the Pilot to pay too much attention to the engines, and not enough to the flying of the aircraft. with the result that the pilot stalled the aircraft and ‘spun in’. The Air Cdre Group Commander stated “ I do not agree with the findings of the Investigating Officer, as there is no evidence to justify the assumption that the cause of the accident was ‘due to the faulty handling of the engine controls.’ In my opinion the accident was caused by engine failure but the reason for the failure must remain a mystery.”
Source:
http://static.awm.gov.au/images/collection/pdf/RC09125_022--1-.pdf

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson I near RAF Silloth: 4 killed

Date & Time: Nov 30, 1942 at 2355 LT

Type of aircraft:

Landing (descent or approach)

Operator:

Registration:

N7207

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Silloth - Silloth

MSN:

414-1603

YOM:

1940

Location:

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Circumstances:

On final approach to RAF Silloth by night, the twin engine aircraft crashed in Abbeytown, 3 miles southeast of the airbase. All four crew members were killed. At the time of the accident, the visibility was poor due to the night.
Crew (1st OTU):
Sgt J. Fisher, pilot,
Sgt Ronald Creighton, observer 2.

Probable cause:

Loss of control on approach caused by the inexperience of the pilot in flying on non-moon lit night.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson V near Martindale: 4 killed

Date & Time: Nov 10, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

AM680

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Silloth - Silloth

MSN:

414-2762

YOM:

1941

Location:

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Circumstances:

The twin engine aircraft left RAF Silloth at 0050LT on a night navigation exercise. At 0114LT, the crew informed ground by radio he would call later, this was the last recorded message. The wreckage was found at the end of the afternoon of November 11, on the western slope of Mt Beda Head, south of Martindale. All four crew members were killed. At the time of the accident, the visibility was poor due to the night and the bad weather conditions.
Crew (1st OTU):
F/Sgt John Frederick Saunders, pilot,
F/O Derric Isaac Jones, navigator,
Sgt Stanley Alfred Veasey, wireless operator and air gunner,
Sgt Harold Dickinson, wireless operator and air gunner.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson I near Penrith: 5 killed

Date & Time: Sep 6, 1942 at 0030 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N7325

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Silloth - Silloth

MSN:

414-1721

YOM:

1940

Location:

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Circumstances:

The crew left RAF Silloth in the evening of September 5 on a night training exercise. After completing a flight over Northern Ireland, the crew was returning to his base in the middle of the night. On the return leg, the crew encountered low visibility due to clouds. The twin engine aircraft went off track to the east by 40 miles when it hit the slope of Mt Cross Fell, east of Penrith. All five crew members were killed.
Crew (1st OTU):
P/O Paul Arthur Bourke, pilot,
Sgt John Bumpstead, navigator,
Sgt Robert Band, wireless operator and air gunner,
Sgt Leslie Thomas Griffin, wireless operator and air gunner,
Sgt Richard William Hewitt, wireless operator and air gunner.
Source & photos:
http://www.peakdistrictaircrashes.co.uk/pages/pennines/penninesn7325.htm

Probable cause:

Because of the lack of contact it was assumed by the investigating officer that the aircraft's radio equipment had failed, leaving the crew with only dead reckoning as a means of navigating.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson III off Silloth: 3 killed

Date & Time: Aug 25, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

AM676

Flight Phase:

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