Zone
Dorset

Crash of an Avro 691 Lancastrian III in Conholt: 7 killed

Date & Time: Nov 22, 1948 at 1708 LT
Type of aircraft:
Avro 691 Lancastrian
Operator:
Registration:
G-AHJW
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Positioning
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Wünsdorf – Tarrant Rushton
MSN:
RSLB127336
YOM:
1946
Location:
Conholt
Wiltshire
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The aircraft was ferried to RAF Tarrant Rushton for maintenance. While descending from the northeast, the crew encountered poor weather conditions. In low visibility, the pilot started the approach when the four engine aircraft hit tree tops and crashed in flames on a hilly terrain located in Conholt, about 38 miles northeast of RAF Tarrant Rushton. A crew member was seriously injured while seven other occupants were killed. It was determined that the aircraft was off course at the time of the accident.
Probable cause:
Investigations were unable to determine with certainty the reason for the deviation from. Nevertheless, it may be possible that the aircraft was being 'homed' on the Netheravon Beacon.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.70 Halifax VIII in Tarrant Rushton: 6 killed

Date & Time: Jul 8, 1946
Type of aircraft:
Handley Page H.P.70 Halifax VIII
Operator:
Registration:
NA461
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Tarrant Rushton - Tarrant Rushton
Location:
Tarrant Rushton
Dorset
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
Shortly after liftoff, while in initial climb, the pilot in command reduced the engine power. The aircraft stalled and crashed in a huge explosion. The aircraft was destroyed and all six crew members were killed. They were involved in a local training sortie.
Probable cause:
It appears the rotation was initiated prematurely, at low speed. Immediately after takeoff, the PIC reduced the engine power, causing the aircraft to stall due to an insufficient speed.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.57 Halifax III near Soueix: 7 killed

Date & Time: Jul 19, 1945
Type of aircraft:
Handley Page H.P.57 Halifax III
Operator:
Registration:
MZ981
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Tarrant Rushton - Tarrant Rushton
Location:
Soueix
Ariège
Country:
France
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Captain / Total flying hours:
236
Captain / Total hours on type:
44.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
183
Copilot / Total hours on type:
0
Circumstances:
While cruising in poor weather conditions, the four engine bomber hit the slope of Lampaou Peak located near Soueix. All seven crew members were killed. At the time of the accident, visibility was poor due to marginal weather conditions. While the captain had a total of 236 hours within 44 on type, the copilot totalized 183 flying hours, zero on type.
Crew (644th Squadron):
Sgt D. P. J. Thorne, pilot,
Sgt R. E. Pugh, copilot,
Sgt K. Smith, navigator,
Sgt W. B. Ness, radio operator,
Sgt R. T. Furley, flight engineer,
Sgt H. Stratford, bomber,
Sgt W. W. Quinn, air gunner.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the crew lost his orientation in low visibility.
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