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

Date & Time: Jun 3, 1952
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
WJ546
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Lichfield - Lichfield
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training mission at RAF Lichfield. The final approach was performed with one engine inoperative when the airplane stalled and crashed in a field short of runway. Both pilots were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Avro 683 Lancaster MR.3 in RAF West Malling: 4 killed

Date & Time: May 22, 1952 at 0100 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
RE200
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Saint Eval - West Malling
Region:
Crew on board:
11
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
While completing an exercice, the crew informed ground about a fire on board and elected to divert to RAF West Malling for an emergency landing. On final approach by night, the aircraft went out of control and crashed in flames in an orchard located short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed by fire and four crew members were killed, seven others were injured. Those killed were:
F/Lt Harry John King,
F/Sgt William McKune,
LAC John Albert Bacon,
LAC Raymond Henry Pearson.
Probable cause:
It was determined that a flare accidentally ignited in flight. For unknown reason, the crew was unable to extinguish the fire in time, necessitating an emergency landing.

Crash of an Airspeed AS.10 Oxford in Holme-on-Spalding-Moor

Date & Time: May 21, 1952
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HM650
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While in cruising altitude, an engine caught fire. The pilot aged 18 reduced his height and completed an emergency landing in a field. On touchdown, the aircraft overturned and came to rest upside down. The airplane was damaged beyond repair and the pilot was injured.
Probable cause:
Engine fire in flight.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson in RAF Bishops Court

Date & Time: May 19, 1952
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VV972
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Bishops Court - Bishops Court
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training mission. On final approach, the pilot-in-command decided to attempt a go around when the aircraft stalled and crashed. Both pilots were injured and the aircraft was written off.

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

Date & Time: May 16, 1952
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
AT670
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Location:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
While completing a training mission, the pilot encountered controllability problems and decided to abandon the aircraft. While bailing out, the parachute deployed prematurely and the pilot was pulled against the fuselage and the elevators. Out of control, the airplane dove into the ground and crashed in a field, killing the pilot.

Crash of a Vickers 619 Wellington X in RAF Thorney Island

Date & Time: Apr 18, 1952
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PG296
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training sortie at RAF Thorney Island. During the final approach completed with an engine voluntarily inoperative, the pilot-in-command lost control of the airplane when the second engine failed. The aircraft stalled and belly landed in a field located short of runway. There were no casualties.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.

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

Date & Time: Apr 8, 1952
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
WD411
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Manby - Manby
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a local training sortie at RAF Manby. Shortly after takeoff, while climbing to a height of some 400 feet and at a speed of 85 knots with the right engine off (simulating an engine failure with the propeller feathered), the crew was unable to maintain a correct rate of climb. In such conditions, the pilot-in-command decided to attempt an emergency landing. The twin engine aircraft belly landed in a field located 2,5 miles southwest of the airbase, near Little Cawthorpe. Both pilots were slightly injured and the aircraft was written off.

Crash of an Airspeed AS.10 Oxford T.1 off RAF Dalcross: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 1, 1952
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
DF467
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Dalcross - Dalcross
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from RAF Dalcross, while in initial climb, the pilot lost control of the aircraft that crashed into the Moray Firth, few hundred yards off shore. The aircraft sank and the pilot was killed. He was engaged in a local training sortie.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the loss of control was caused by an aerodynamic stall.

Crash of an Avro 683 Lancaster GR.3 in RAF Saint Eval

Date & Time: Mar 28, 1952
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
SW286
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Gibraltar - Saint Eval
Region:
Crew on board:
11
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The four engine aircraft landed long. After touchdown, the pilot-in-command increased engine power and attempted to go around but eventually decided to raise the landing gear. The airplane skidded on runway, overran and came to rest in a field. All 11 occupants were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Wrong approach configuration on part of the flying crew who neglected several published approach procedures. Responsibilities were shared with the controller at RAF St Eval Tower who failed to transmit suitable informations regarding wind direction and speed.

Crash of a Short S.25 Sunderland MR.5 off Felixstowe

Date & Time: Mar 14, 1952
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PP162
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a specific mission consisting of a test of the seaplane in rough seas conditions. Upon landing off Felixstowe, the airplane was hit by strong waves and was considered as damaged beyond repair. The crew was unhurt.