Staverton AFB | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The twin engine airplane departed Leeds-Bradford Airport at 1715LT on a charter flight to Staverton, carrying a pilot and seven employees of the ICI Fibres Company. During initial climb in marginal weather conditions, the airplane encountered difficulties then control was lost. It entered a dive and crashed in a field located two miles from the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and all eight occupants were killed. The accident occurred six minutes after takeoff.

Probable cause:

It appears extremely probable that the pilot became incapacitated in the air following an acute coronary episode and control of the aircraft was lost.

Final Report:

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson I near Llanthony

Date & Time: Sep 21, 1942 at 2050 LT

Type of aircraft:

Avro 652 Anson

Operator:

Registration:

N9745

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Staverton - Staverton

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

306

Captain / Total hours on type:

172.00

Circumstances:

While cruising in poor visibility due to low clouds and darkness, the twin engine aircraft hit the slope of a mountain and crashed in the Black Hills, near Llanthony, in the southeast part of Wales. All three occupants were slightly injured while the aircraft was destroyed.
Crew (6th AOS):
Sgt R. R. Harvey, pilot, 2.

Probable cause:

The accident was caused by negligence on part of the crew who failed to prepare an adequate flight plan. There was no communication with the crew during flight and a navigational error caused the aircraft to be 15 miles past the turning point. Poor visibility due to cloud and darkness was not considered as the cause of the accident.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim IF at RAF Staverton

Date & Time: Jan 2, 1942 at 1300 LT

Type of aircraft:

Bristol 142 Blenheim

Operator:

Registration:

L6837

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Middle Wallop - Middle Wallop

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The pilot departed RAF Middle Wallop on a solo training flight. An engine caught fire in flight and the pilot diverted to RAF Staverton where the airplane crashed upon landing and was destroyed by fire. The pilot escaped uninjured.
Crew:
S/L Hamish Kerr, pilot.

Probable cause:

Engine fire in flight.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.89A Dragon Rapide at RAF Staverton: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 3, 1940

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide

Operator:

Registration:

G-AEMM

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

6339

YOM:

1936

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Shortly after take off from RAF Staverton, while climbing, the aircraft collided with an unknown aircraft and crashed in a field. Both crewmen were killed.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson I in Hay Bluff: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 2, 1940

Type of aircraft:

Avro 652 Anson

Operator:

Registration:

N9879

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Staverton - Staverton

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was engaged in a night training exercise on behalf of the 6th Air Observers School. En route, the crew became lost due to poor visibility caused by night and a thick cloud layer. At a height of some 660 metres, the twin engine aircraft impacted a hill located near Hay Bluff and was destroyed. A crew was killed while all three other occupants were injured.
Crew:
F/Lt R. M. Nobiston, pilot, †
AC1 W. N. Blau, pupil navigator,
AC1 J. N. Nightingale, pupil navigator,
R. M. Knight, instructor.

Crash of a Avro 616 Avian IVM at RAF Starveton

Date & Time: Sep 21, 1936

Type of aircraft:

Avro 616 Avian IVM

Operator:

Sydney Gleave

Registration:

G-AAYU

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Woodford – Staverton

MSN:

419

YOM:

1930

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Upon landing at RAF Staverton, the single engine airplane went out of control and crashed upside down. The pilot, sole on board, escaped with minor injuries.