West Malling | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

While completing an exercice, the crew informed ground about a fire on board and elected to divert to RAF West Malling for an emergency landing. On final approach by night, the aircraft went out of control and crashed in flames in an orchard located short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed by fire and four crew members were killed, seven others were injured. Those killed were:
F/Lt Harry John King,
F/Sgt William McKune,
LAC John Albert Bacon,
LAC Raymond Henry Pearson.

Probable cause:

It was determined that a flare accidentally ignited in flight. For unknown reason, the crew was unable to extinguish the fire in time, necessitating an emergency landing.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim I

Date & Time: Apr 18, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Bristol 142 Blenheim

Operator:

Registration:

L1237

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

West Malling - West Malling

MSN:

8520

YOM:

1938

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Circumstances:

The airplane suffered an engine failure on landing. Unable to stop on the runway, it overran, lost its undercarriage and came to rest. All three crew members were injured.
Crew:
Sgt A. J Knight, pilot,
Sgt F. E Harrison, observer,
AC1 G. Muir.

Probable cause:

Engine failure on landing.

Crash of a Douglas DB-7B Boston III in Cayeux-en-Santerre: 3 killed

Date & Time: Apr 3, 1942 at 0245 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas A-20 Havoc/DB-7 Boston

Operator:

Registration:

W8351

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Bombing

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

West Malling - West Malling

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The airplane departed RAF West Malling at 0002LT on an intruder operation over France. With an engine on fire, it crashed in a field in Cayeux-en-Santerre, killing all three crew members.
Crew:
F/Lt Arthur Jack Love, pilot,
F/Sgt HJarry Ernest Demmar Tilby, observer,
Sgt Malcolm Bunting, air gunner.

Crash of a Douglas A-20 Havoc I in Mereworth Wood: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 21, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Douglas A-20 Havoc/DB-7 Boston

Operator:

Registration:

BD116

Flight Phase:

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Schedule:

West Malling - West Malling

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Circumstances:

The crew was engaged in a local test flight out from West Malling Airfield. While circling in the vicinity of the airport, the airplane went out of control and crashed at Mereworth Wood. The pilot was killed and the radio operator was injured.
Crew:
W/O James Hopewell, pilot,
Sgt C. W. Cragg.

Probable cause:

It is believed that the accident was the consequence of a loss of control due to flight control malfunction.

Crash of a Douglas A-20A Havoc in West Malling: 2 killed

Date & Time: Sep 11, 1941

Type of aircraft:

Douglas A-20 Havoc/DB-7 Boston

Operator:

Registration:

BJ486

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

West Malling - West Malling

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The crew was completing a local training exercise at West Malling Airfield. On final approach, the crew initiated a go around procedure when the airplane stalled and crashed. Both crew members were killed.
Crew:
F/O E. G. Curtice,
Sgt A. Smalley.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.60G Moth in Borough Green: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 18, 1939

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.60 Moth

Operator:

Malling Aviation

Registration:

G-ABAM

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

West Malling - West Malling

MSN:

1263

YOM:

1930

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Circumstances:

The pilot departed West Malling Airport on a solo training flight. In unknown circumstances, the airplane crashed in a pasture located in Borough Green, Kent. The pilot was killed.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.60G Moth in West Malling

Date & Time: Dec 8, 1934

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.60 Moth

Operator:

Malling Aviation

Registration:

G-AALJ

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

West Malling - West Malling

MSN:

1087

YOM:

1929

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Circumstances:

The single engine airplane was engaged in a local training flight with one passenger and one pilot on board. While flying at low height, the airplane collided with a power line and crashed. Both occupants were injured.