Royal Air Force - RAF

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While performing a training flight, the twin engine aircraft collided with a RAF Vickers 271 Wellington registered HZ637 and carrying a crew of five as well. The collision occurred in unknown circumstances east of Maryport and both aircraft crashed in a field, killing all ten crew members on both aircraft.
Crew (10th AFU):
P/O Alexander Iver MacRae, pilot,
Sgt Geoffrey Basil Temple Wymer, navigator,
F/Sgt Michael Henry Cornell, navigator,
Sgt Thomas Green, wireless operator and air gunner,
Sgt John Thomas Sutherland, air gunner.

Probable cause:

Mid-air collision.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson III in RAF Kirkbride

Date & Time: May 31, 1943

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed L-414 Hudson

Operator:

Registration:

V9197

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

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Site:

Armstrong Whitworth AW.41 Albemarle

Schedule:

Kirkbride - Kirkbride

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Shortly after take off, while in initial climb, the aircraft was caught by strong cross winds, nosed down and crashed in a field. Both pilots were injured.

Crash of an Armstrong Whitworth AW.41 Albemarle II in Fearnan: 4 killed

Date & Time: May 29, 1943 at 1145 LT

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Registration:

P1503

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Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Errol - Errol

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The crew consisted of three members of the Soviet Air Force and a Czech interpreter. En route, the aircraft went out of control, dove into the ground and crashed north of Fearnan. All four occupants were killed.
Crew (305th FTU):
Maj Aleksandr Gruzdin, pilot,
S/Lt Aleksandr Andrejevich Aleksejev, flight engineer,
S/Lt William Dramin.
Passenger:
Sgt Francis Drahovzal.

Probable cause:

The ballast weights slid forward, causing the aircraft to dive and crash.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson I off Millom: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 28, 1943

Type of aircraft:

Avro 652 Anson

Operator:

Registration:

AX407

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Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Llandwrog - Llandwrog

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During a training sortie, while cruising off Millom, the twin engine aircraft crashed into the sea in unknown circumstances, killing both crew members.

Crash of a Blackburn B-26 Botha I in RAF Hooton Park: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 27, 1943

Type of aircraft:

Blackburn B-26 Botha

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Registration:

L6290

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Hooton Park - Hooton Park

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On final approach to RAF Hooton Park, while performing a training mission, the captain decided to make a go around. While climbing, the aircraft stalled, dove into the ground and crashed in a field. All four crew members were critically injured. Few hours later, two of them died from their injuries.
Crew (11th RS):
F/Sgt Russell Charles Denny, †
Sgt J. T. R. Bazire, †
Sgt Austin,
Sgt F. J. Spillane.

Probable cause:

An engine failed during the go around procedure.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson in RAF Silloth

Date & Time: May 27, 1943

Type of aircraft:

Avro 652 Anson

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Site:

Vickers 416 Wellington IC

Schedule:

Silloth - Silloth

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On final approach to RAF Silloth, at a height of less than 10 feet, the aircraft stalled and hit the runway surface. While the aircraft was damaged beyond repair, both pilots were unhurt.

Probable cause:

It seems the approach speed during the last segment was insufficient.

Crash of a Vickers 416 Wellington IC in RAF Sutton Bridge

Date & Time: May 26, 1943

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Registration:

L7796

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Military

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Crashed on landing for unknown reasons. No casualties.

Crash of a Martin B-26A-1 Marauder in Bône

Date & Time: May 26, 1943

Type of aircraft:

Martin B-26 Marauder

Operator:

Registration:

FK160

Flight Phase:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Flight Type:

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Site:

MSN:

7369

YOM:

1941

Location:

Annaba

Country:

Algeria

Region:

Africa

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On landing, an undercarriage collapsed. The aircraft slid on its belly and came to rest. While all eight crew members were uninjured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Landing gear failure.

Crash of a Short S.25 Sunderland III off Clare Island: 11 killed

Date & Time: May 25, 1943 at 0405 LT

Type of aircraft:

Short S.25 Sunderland

Operator:

Registration:

DD846

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