Crash of an Avro 683 Lancaster IB in Wigston: 6 killed
Date & Time:
Feb 4, 1946
Operator:
Registration:
PA269
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Faldingworth - Faldingworth
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
While overflying Wigston in very poor weather conditions, the aircraft went out of control and spiraled into the ground. During the descent, the aircraft disintegrated in the air and crashed in the city of Wigston. Debris were found on a large area and several houses were damaged. While there were no casualties on the ground, all six crew members were killed.
Crew (300th Squadron):
W/Cdr R. Sulinski, pilot,
F/O W. Jedrzejczyk, navigator,
F/O C. Sulgut, air gunner,
W/O W. Brzezinski, wireless operator,
W/O M. Szwandt, air bomber,
F/Sgt F. Mikula, flight engineer.
Crew (300th Squadron):
W/Cdr R. Sulinski, pilot,
F/O W. Jedrzejczyk, navigator,
F/O C. Sulgut, air gunner,
W/O W. Brzezinski, wireless operator,
W/O M. Szwandt, air bomber,
F/Sgt F. Mikula, flight engineer.
Probable cause:
The aircraft may have been struck by lightning while flying in very bad weather conditions (clouds with turbulence and thunderstorm activity).
