Woodford | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

After takeoff from runway 03 at Rochester City Airport, while climbing to a height of 900 feet, the left engine gradually lost power. The pilot increased power on the right engine and feathered the left propeller. After passing over the M2 highway at a speed of 100 knots, he expected to return to the airfield when the right engine lost power as well. He attempted an emergency landing by the motorway and the airplane crash landed at a speed of 85 knots before coming to rest. All four occupants were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

The accident was caused by kerosene being placed in a petrol supply at Rochester City Airport. The aircraft, which had been refuelled with the mixed product from the supply, suffered a loss of engine power after takeoff. Thus led to a forced landing in difficult circumstances on unsuitable terrain. The loss of engine power resulted from damage to the engines due to their being run on contaminated fuel.

Final Report:

Crash of an Avro 696 Shackleton MR.3 near Foolow: 4 killed

Date & Time: Dec 7, 1956

Type of aircraft:

Avro 696 Shackleton

Operator:

Registration:

WR970

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Test

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Woodford - Woodford

YOM:

Location:

Country:

Region:

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Circumstances:

The crew departed Woodford for a stall-warning test flight. En route, while cruising at a relative low altitude, the crew initiated a stall when control was lost. The airplane dove into the ground and crashed in a prairie located near Foolow. All four crew members were killed, among them Jack Bertram Wales, test pilot by Avro.

Probable cause:

Loss of control during a stall-warning test flight. The stall was initiated at an insufficient altitude to expect a recovery.

Crash of an Avro 689 Tudor 2 in Woodford: 4 killed

Date & Time: Aug 23, 1947

Type of aircraft:

Avro 689 Tudor

Operator:

Minister of Supply & Aircraft Production

Registration:

G-AGSU

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Test

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Woodford - Woodford

MSN:

1235

YOM:

1945

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

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Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from Woodford Airport, while climbing to a height of some 60-80 feet, the four engine aircraft banked right, stalled and crashed in a wooded area. Four occupants were killed while two others were rescued.
Crew:
Bill Thorn, pilot, †
David Wilson, copilot, †
John Webster, flight engineer and radio operator, †
Roy Chadwick, technician and designer, †
Eddie Talbot, flight engineer,
Stuart Davies, chief designer.

Probable cause:

Loss of control after takeoff caused by an incorrect assembly of the aileron control circuit on part of the Avro technicians.

Crash of an Avro 594 Avian III in Brooklands

Date & Time: Aug 2, 1937

Type of aircraft:

Avro 594 Avian

Operator:

Richard Geoffrey Davies

Registration:

G-EBXD

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Brooklands – Woodford

MSN:

121

YOM:

1928

Location:

Brooklands (Weybridge)

Surrey

Country:

United Kingdom

Region:

Europe

Crew on board:

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Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Crashed shortly after takeoff from Brooklands Airport. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot Mr. J. Davies was injured.

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:

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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.

Crash of an Avro 594 Avian IV in Barton

Date & Time: Nov 18, 1933

Type of aircraft:

Avro 594 Avian

Operator:

Registration:

G-EBQL

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Woodford - Barton

MSN:

117

YOM:

1928

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

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Other fatalities:

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Circumstances:

Crashed upon landing in unknown circumstances. The pilot was injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.60M Moth in Hyde

Date & Time: May 14, 1931

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.60 Moth

Operator:

Registration:

G-AAJX

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Hanworth – Woodford

MSN:

1374

YOM:

1930

Location:

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Region:

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Circumstances:

While approaching Woodford Aerodrome on a taxi flight from Hanworth, the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances in Hyde, some 13 km northeast of the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were injured.

Crash of an Avro 504R in Cheadle Hulme

Date & Time: Oct 2, 1928

Type of aircraft:

Avro 504

Operator:

Registration:

G-EBNF

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Test

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Woodford - Woodford

MSN:

5111

YOM:

1925

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was performing a test flight in the region of Woodford Aerodrome, south of Stockport. En route, he was forced to make an emergency landing in Cheadle Hulme. While the crew was unhurt, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.60 Moth in Hale

Date & Time: Jun 12, 1927

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.60 Moth

Operator:

Registration:

G-EBLR

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Woodford - Woodford

MSN:

184

YOM:

1925

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was performing a training flight out from Woodford Airport. En route, the engine failed, forcing the crew to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft collided with an iron fence and came to rest. While both occupants were injured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Engine failure.