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

Date & Time: Nov 17, 1952
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
TX197
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The aircraft was engaged in a training mission, carrying two pilots and a RAF cadet aged 15. Shortly after takeoff, while climbing, the airplane banked right, overturned and crashed in a huge explosion near the runway end. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all three occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control after rotation caused by the failure of the right engine.

Crash of a Vickers 648 Varsity T.1 in RAF Wigsley

Date & Time: Nov 4, 1952
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
WF324
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Wigsley - Wigsley
MSN:
516
YOM:
1951
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach, during the last segment, the copilot-in-command made a wrong maneuver, causing the airplane to descend rapidly. The aircraft hit violently the runway surface, causing the left main gear to collapse and the left wing to partially brake off. The airplane went out of control and came to rest. Both pilots were uninjured.
Probable cause:
Wrong maneuver on part of the pilot-in-command.

Crash of a Vickers 619 Wellington X in Sheffield

Date & Time: Oct 22, 1952
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
MF627
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances near Sheffield. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and all three crew members were injured.

Crash of an Airspeed AS.10 Oxford T.1 near Ludlow

Date & Time: Oct 21, 1952
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PH173
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During a training flight, while cruising at an altitude of 1,700 feet, a propeller blade detached and hit the nose of the airplane that lost altitude. In such situation, both pilots decided to abandon the aircraft that dove into the ground and crashed in a field located 7 miles northeast of Ludlow. While the aircraft was destroyed, both crew members were uninjured.
Probable cause:
Loss of a propeller blade in flight.

Crash of a Vickers 619 Wellington X in RAF Hullavington: 4 killed

Date & Time: Oct 15, 1952
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
RP319
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Hullavington - Hullavington
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a local training sortie at RAF Hullavington. Shortly after takeoff, while climbing in freezing fog conditions, the airplane encountered difficulties to gain height, hit the corner of a hangar and crashed in flames. All four crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the aircraft stalled during initial climb due to an excessive accumulation of frost on all surfaces. It is believed that the crew did not prepare the flight properly and failed to remove the contaminants prior to take off. Accumulation of frost on wings, fuselage and stabilizers increased weight, reduced lift and modified the aerodynamic properties.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson C.12 in Wildeshausen: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 14, 1952
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PH708
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Ahlhorn - Ahlhorn
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, was engaged in a local training flight out from Ahlhorn Airbase. While flying by night and in poor weather conditions, the radio failed. The pilot elected to return to the base but was unable to obtain ground assistance. In such circumstances, he attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft hit a building and crashed in Wildeshausen, about 10 km east of the airfield. The airplane was destroyed and the pilot was killed. There were no casualties on the ground.

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

Date & Time: Oct 13, 1952
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
RP387
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Lichfield - Lichfield
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training sortie at RAF Lichfield. During the approach completed in IMC conditions, the pilot-in-command deactivated the automatic pilot system and decided to continue manually under VFR rules. In heavy rain falls, he did not realize that the aircraft was losing height when it crashed in a field short of runway threshold. Two crew members were injured while the third occupant was killed.
Probable cause:
Wrong approach configuration on part of the crew.

Crash of an Airspeed AS.10 Oxford I in RAF Dalcross

Date & Time: Oct 8, 1952
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PH419
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Dalcross - Dalcross
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, was completing a local training sortie in RAF Dalcross. On final approach, during the last segment, the twin engine aircraft stalled and hit the runway surface. Upon impact, the undercarriage were sheared off and the aircraft slid on its belly for several yards before coming to rest. The pilot was unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
It is reported that the aircraft stalled during the last segment due to an insufficient approach speed. A recovery was impossible due to the short distance between the aircraft and the ground.

Crash of an Avro 696 Shackleton MR.1 off Tarabet Ness: 14 killed

Date & Time: Oct 8, 1952
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VP286
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
YOM:
1951
Region:
Crew on board:
14
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
14
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a training sortie when the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea off the Tarbet Ness Lighthouse. All 14 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined.

Crash of a Vickers 607 Valetta C.1 in Tabora

Date & Time: Sep 28, 1952
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VX507
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After touchdown at Tabora Airport, the left main gear collapsed. The aircraft slid for several yards, swung about 100 degrees and came to rest. There were no casualties but the aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the left main gear collapsed after the tire burst on touchdown.