Crash of an Airspeed AS.10 Oxford T.1 in Temple Guiting: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 31, 1952
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
MP287
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Thorney Island - Wellesbourne Mountford
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot was completing a solo training mission from RAF Thorney Island to RAF Wellesbourne Mountford, Warwickshire. En route, while cruising by night and marginal weather conditions, he lost control of the airplane that crashed in a field located in Temple Guiting, about 10 miles northeast of Cheltenham. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was killed.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the loss of control was caused by an excessive accumulation of frost or ice on the aircraft during flight. The assumption that the pilot lost his orientation due to the accretion of ice on the windshield is not ruled out.

Crash of an Avro 683 Lancaster GR.3 in Luqa: 4 killed

Date & Time: Dec 30, 1952
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
SW344
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Luqa - Luqa
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Just after liftoff from runway 06 at Luqa Airport, while in initial climb, the airplane encountered difficulties to gain height, hit several houses and eventually crashed on a neighborhood by the airport. While the captain was injured, all three other crew members were killed. Three people on the ground were seriously injured and one of them, a 60 years old lady, died from her injuries two days later on January 1st, 1953.
Crew:
F/Sgt John C. E. Smith, pilot,
F/Sgt Geoffrey Charles Glanville, copilot, †
F/Sgt John Crawford Logan, radio operator, †
F/Sgt Wilfred Morris, flight engineer. †
Probable cause:
An engine caught fire just after rotation, causing the aircraft to stall and crash during initial climb. The exact cause of the engine fire could not be determined.

Crash of an Avro 694 Lincoln B.2 in RAF Upwood

Date & Time: Dec 19, 1952
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
RF453
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Upwood - Upwood
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from RAF Upwood, while in initial climb, the engine number three caught fire. The captain retarded the throttle and ordered the flight engineer to shut down the engine. For unknown reason, the flight engineer mistakenly shot down the engine number two instead of the number three. With insufficient power, the aircraft stalled and crashed in an open field located few hundred yards past the runway end. While all five crew members were slightly injured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The cause of the fire on engine number three remains unclear. Wrong reaction on part of the flight engineer who shot down the wrong engine.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson T.21 in RAF Usworth

Date & Time: Dec 15, 1952
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
WD418
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Usworth - Usworth
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After completing several training maneuvers in the vicinity of the airbase, the pilot-in-command decided to perform a single engine approach. On final approach to runway 23, while at a height of 200 feet, the airplane stalled and crashed in a near vertical attitude in a field located near the boundary fence. All five occupants (three cadets and two pilots) were injured while the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the stall was caused by an insufficient approach speed.

Crash of a Boeing B-29A-70-BN Washington B.1 near RAF Marham: 4 killed

Date & Time: Dec 14, 1952 at 2100 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
WF570
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Marham - Marham
MSN:
11729
Region:
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from RAF Marham, while in initial climb, the crew noticed a fuel leak on the right wing and decided to return for an emergency landing. Unfortunately, the visibility was limited due to poor weather conditions and the pilot-in-command was forced to complete the approach with its radio compass as sole reference as there were no ATC or ground navigation aids at that time. During a last turn to join the runway approach path, the airplane lost height and crashed in a field located five miles northeast of the airfield. Four crew members were killed while four others were injured.
Probable cause:
The filler cap on the right fuel tank was incorrectly replaced after refueling, causing the fuel to flow after takeoff.

Crash of an Avro 683 Lancaster GR.1 in RAF Benson: 4 killed

Date & Time: Dec 2, 1952
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
RA803
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Benson - Benson
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a local training sortie at RAF Benson. During the final approach completed in marginal weather conditions, the crew did not realize that his altitude was too low when the airplane hit the ground and crashed few hundred yards short of runway threshold. The aircraft was destroyed and all four crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
The accident was the result of negligence on part of the flying crew who neglected published procedures and continued the approach below the minimum safe altitude.

Crash of a Vickers 619 Wellington X in RAF Tangmere: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 2, 1952
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
LN376
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Tangmere - Tangmere
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a local training sortie at RAF Tangmere. On final approach, the right engine failed. The pilot-in-command continued the approach but on short final, decided to make a go around when the aircraft stalled and crashed in a field located short of runway. Three crew members were injured while the captain was killed.
Probable cause:
Failure of the right engine on final approach for undetermined reason.

Crash of an Airspeed AS.10 Oxford T.1 in Gloucester: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 2, 1952
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PK294
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
During a training sortie, while cruising at low altitude, the crew made a sharp turn to the left when the left wing hit tree tops. The twin engine aircraft lost height and crashed in flames in the Morar forest, killing both pilots.
Probable cause:
Poor judgment on part of the crew.

Crash of a Vickers 607 aletta C.1 in RAF in Boscombe Down

Date & Time: Nov 25, 1952
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VW203
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
359
YOM:
22
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to RAF Boscombe Down, while descending to an altitude of 2,000 feet, the Valetta collided with a RAF De Havilland DH.112 Venom registered WE258 and carrying one pilot. Following the collision, both aircraft dove into the ground and crashed in a field located 1,5 mile short of runway. While all three crew members of the Valetta were injured, the pilot of the Venom was killed.
Probable cause:
The exact cause and circumstances of the collision remains unclear.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson C.19 in Hendon: 3 killed

Date & Time: Nov 21, 1952
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VM327
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Hendon – Saint Athan
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Hendon Airfield, while in initial climb, the crew informed ground that the right engine failed and elected to return for an emergency landing. The aircraft lost height and hit tree tops before crashing in a wooded area. All three crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.