Crash of an Avro 685 York C.1 in Wünsdorf

Date & Time: Jul 30, 1949
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
MW145
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Wünsdorf – Northolt
MSN:
MW145
YOM:
1945
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Just after liftoff, while in initial climb, engines number one and two lost power. The aircraft banked left and the captain decided to abandon the takeoff procedure so he landed immediately. After touchdown, he realized that the distance available was insufficient so he raised the landing gear. The aircraft sank on its belly and slid for several yards before coming to rest. There were no casualties but the aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Simultaneous loss of power on both left engines just after liftoff for undetermined reason.

Crash of an Avro 685 York C.1 in Wünsdorf AFB

Date & Time: Jun 19, 1949
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
G-ALBX
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Wünsdorf - London
MSN:
PC4494
YOM:
1945
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, the engine number four failed. The crew elected to return but while at an altitude of 550 feet, the engine number three suffered a loss of power. In such conditions, the captain attempted to make an emergency landing in a field. The aircraft crash landed and came to rest few km from the airport. While all three crew members were unhurt, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.

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

Date & Time: Nov 22, 1948 at 1708 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
G-AHJW
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Wünsdorf – Tarrant Rushton
MSN:
RSLB127336
YOM:
1946
Region:
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 an Avro 685 York C.1 in Wünsdorf AFB

Date & Time: Nov 10, 1948
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
MW270
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Wünsdorf – Northolt
MSN:
MW270
YOM:
1946
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll, a speed indicator failed. The captain decided to abandon the takeoff maneuver and started an emergency brake procedure. As the distance within the end of the runway was insufficient, he raised the gear. The aircraft sank on its belly and slid for several yards before coming to rest. While all four crew members were unhurt, the aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair.

Crash of an Avro 685 York C.1 in Wünsdorf AFB

Date & Time: Sep 23, 1948
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
MW245
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Wünsdorf – Northolt
MSN:
MW245
YOM:
1946
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll, the aircraft suffered severe vibrations with the ailerons and the captain decided to abort the takeoff procedure. He realized that it would not be possible to stop the aircraft within the runway end, so he raised the undercarriage and the aircraft sank on its belly. It then slid for several yards, overran and came to rest against an earth mound. All four crew members were unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident remains unknown but it was reported that a maintenance was made on the aircraft shortly before the accident. It is understood that some mechanics failed to follow some maintenance procedures and that certain parts were not original, which was considered as a contributory factor.

Crash of an Avro 685 York C.1 in Wünsdorf AFB: 5 killed

Date & Time: Sep 19, 1948
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
MW288
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Wünsdorf – Lyneham
MSN:
SET26
YOM:
1946
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
Shortly after liftoff, while in initial climb, the engine number one failed. The pilot tried to maintain a control of the aircraft in order to avoid buildings ahead but once the altitude of 300 feet was reached, the aircraft banked left, stalled and crashed in a huge explosion. All five crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
Failure of the engine number one caused by the failure of the eight spark plug's cap that were not from origin.