Tangmere AFB | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The crew was performing a local training flight at RAF Tangmere on behalf of the 217th Squadron. Following a wrong approach configuration, the crew overshot and landed too far down the runway. After touchdown, the twin engine aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance, overran and came to rest in a field. Both pilots evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Wrong approach configuration.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.50 Heyford IIA in Stopham Bridge: 4 killed

Date & Time: Dec 13, 1937

Type of aircraft:

Handley Page H.P.50 Heyford

Operator:

Registration:

K4039

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Mildenhall – Tangmere

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En route from RAF Mildenhall to RAF Tangmere at night, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with heavy rain falls. The airplane deviated from the prescribed routing and eventually went out of control and crashed in a field located in Stophan Bridge, west of Pulborough. All four crew members were killed. At the time of the accident, the airplane was off course by 100 miles, probably after the pilot got lost in poor weather conditions.
Crew:
P/O Andrew Aitken,
Sgt Duncan Robert Francis Ross,
Cpl John Bennett,
LAC Willian Lemnal Sellince.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson at RAF Tangmere

Date & Time: Jul 30, 1937

Type of aircraft:

Avro 652 Anson

Operator:

Registration:

K6312

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Tangmere-Tangmere

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The pilot was performing a night solo training flight at RAF Tangmere. Following several touch & go manoeuvres, he initiated a new approach. On final, the airplane impacted a tree with its right wing and crashed short of runway. The pilot was injured.

Probable cause:

Poor judgement on part of the pilot. Too low approach.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson at RAF Tangmere

Date & Time: Jul 21, 1937

Type of aircraft:

Avro 652 Anson

Operator:

Registration:

K6313

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Tangmere - Tangmere

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Following a maritime patrol mission, the crew was returning to RAF Tangmere. The twin engine airplane landed too far down the runway and was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran and came to rest. All four crew members from the 217th Squadron evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.60M Moth in Chichester: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 23, 1931

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.60 Moth

Operator:

Registration:

K1838

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Tangmere – Uxbridge

MSN:

1588

YOM:

1930

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Shortly after takeoff from RAF Tangmere, outbound for RAF Uxbridge, the airplane collided with an RAF Armstrong Whitworth Siskin registered J8893. While the pilot of the Siskin was able to land, the Moth entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in the Seahurst Park near Chichester. Both occupants were killed.
Crew:
AVM Felton Vesey Holt,
F/Lt Henry Michael Moody.