Crash of an Avro 652 Anson I near RAF Usworth: 4 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
L7908
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Usworth - Usworth
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a training mission in the vicinity of RAF Usworth. While cruising at an altitude of 5,000 feet, the twin engine aircraft collided with another RAF Avro 652 Anson I registered DJ686 carrying a crew of four. Following the collision, both aircraft dove into the ground and crashed in a field located 3 miles northeast of the airbase. Both aircraft were totally wrecked and all eight crew members were killed.
Crew (62nd Squadron):
Sgt Alistair Cameron Dunlop, pilot,
Sgt Ian Duncan McDonald, navigator,
Sgt Frank Wickenden, observer,
LAC George Miller Johnston.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson I on Mt Cross Fell

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
DJ453
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Kinloss – Kirkbride
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
En route to RAF Kirkbride and while flying over the Pennines mountain range, east of Penrith, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with icing. He decided to modify his route, passing via the Alston valley. Shortly later, the twin engine aircraft hit the slope of Mt Cross Fell, slid for several yards and came to rest. All five crew members were injured.
Crew (4th AOS):
Sgt Victor Henry Hill 4.

Crash of a Martin PBM-3R Mariner off Norfolk NAS: 7 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
6482
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Norfolk - Norfolk
MSN:
6482
Crew on board:
12
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
Shortly after take off from Norfolk NAS, while on a training mission, the seaplane lost height and fell into the Willoughby Bay. Its nose lodged into mud and sand. Seven crew were killed while five others were injured. The aircraft was partially submerged and damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Vickers 417 Wellington III in Hope: 5 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HF613
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Wellesbourne Mountford - Wellesbourne Mountford
Location:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The aircraft took off during the mid-morning of the 15th February 1943 from Wellesbourne Mountford near Stratford upon Avon for a cross country flight. At just after 1300LT the aircraft descended out of bad weather (possibly due to icing) and became enveloped in a snow storm, shortly afterwards the aircraft crashed, seemingly out of control, with a steep nose down attitude near to Peakshole Water. The aircraft slide for a short distance, crossing the river and striking a large embankment on the other side where the aircraft was completely destroyed.
Crew (22nd OTU):
Sgt John Douglas Kester, pilot,
Sgt Richard Foote Cairns, navigator,
Sgt William James Hackett, air gunner,
Sgt Bernard Elliott Wilkinson, air gunner,
Sgt William Arthur Billy Marwood, wireless operator and air gunner.
Source & photo:
http://www.peakdistrictaircrashes.co.uk/pages/peakdistrict/peakdistricthf613.htm

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson II in Hobcarton End: 4 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
DJ464
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
While on a training flight, the twin engine aircraft hit a hill in Hobcarton End, in the Lake District National park. All four crew members were killed.

Crash of an Avro 679 Manchester I in RAF Waddington

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
L7286
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Swinderby - Swinderby
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft left RAF Swinderby at 0916LT on a navigation training sortie. While cruising at an altitude of 1,000 feet, the right engine caught fire. The captain decided to divert to RAF Waddington to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft belly landed and came to rest. All seven crew members (1660 OCU) were unhurt.
Probable cause:
The flame traps burned in flight, causing the engine to catch fire.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina into the San Francisco Bay: 3 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
08158
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
While landing in the San Francisco Bay, the seaplane hit a submerged object and sunk. Three crew members were killed while three others were injured.

Crash of a Vickers 440 Wellington X on Mt Foel Grach: 5 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HE466
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Hixon - Hixon
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
While performing a night training mission from RAF Hixon, the aircraft hit the slope of Mt Foel Grach, southeast of Bangor, north of Wales. All five crew members were killed.
Crew (30th OTU):
Sgt Edward Gerrard Frezell, pilot,
P/O Frederick Keith Thorogood, navigator,
Sgt Cecil Gordon Bennett, bomb aimer,
Sgt George Newton Rafferty, wireless operator,
Sgt Edwin Towler, air gunner.

Crash of an Avro 679 Manchester I in Fishtoft Drove

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
L7391
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Fulbeck - Fulbeck
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a gunnery exercise from RAF Fulbeck. En route, while cruising at an altitude of 1,200 feet, the starboard engine failed. As the captain was unable to maintain a safe altitude and could not return to his base, he decided to attempt an emergency landing in Fishtoft Drove, north of Boston. The aircraft came to rest in a field and was damaged beyond repair while all six crew members were unhurt.
Probable cause:
Failure of the starboard engine.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina off Whidbey Island NAS: 2 killed

Date & Time:
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
04438
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Whidbey Island - Whidbey Island
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Water-looped while landing off Whidbey Island NAS and sunk. Both crew members were killed.