Royal Air Force - RAF

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Scampton - Scampton

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was returning to RAF Scampton after a six hours training flight on behalf of the 230th OCU (Operational Conversion Unit). On final approach in poor weather conditions, the pilot in command realized that his position was not correct and decided to make a go around. He increased engine power, retracted the landing gear and deployed the flaps when the aircraft stalled and crashed in a huge explosion few hundred yards from the runway threshold. The aircraft was destroyed and all seven crew members were killed.

Probable cause:

It was determined that the aircraft stalled because the flaps were deployed in a wrong position. At the time of the stall, the distance between the aircraft and the ground was insufficient to expect a recovery.

Crash of a Vickers 607 Valetta C.1 in RAF Lyneham: 10 killed

Date & Time: Jul 12, 1951

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

VW194

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Luqa - Lyneham - Dishforth

MSN:

350

YOM:

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The aircraft was completing a flight from Luqa to RAF Dishforth with an intermediate stop in RAF Lyneham on behalf of the 242nd OCU. Shortly after takeoff, while climbing, the crew informed ground about an engine failure and elected to return for a safe landing when the aircraft stalled and crashed in a field. The airplane was destroyed and all ten occupants were killed, among them seven cadets.

Probable cause:

It was determined that an engine failed after takeoff and the crew shut down the wrong engine and feathered the wrong propeller. Due to loss of power, the aircraft stalled and crashed.

Crash of a Vickers 619 Wellington X in Sheffield: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jun 29, 1951

Type of aircraft:

Vickers 619 Wellington X

Operator:

Registration:

MF633

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Sheffield - Sheffield

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was completing a local training sortie at Sheffield Airport, South Yorkshire. On final approach, the aircraft went of control, nosed down and crashed few miles short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed and all three crew members were killed.

Probable cause:

It was determined that during the final approach, the pilot-in-command was distracted by lights located in a coal mine. Investigations revealed that the pilot's attention was focused for a few seconds on these lights, a sufficient period of time to cause the loss of control of the aircraft.

Crash of a Vickers 607 Valetta C.1 in Choma

Date & Time: Jun 24, 1951

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

VX498

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Livingstone – Ndola

MSN:

444

YOM:

1950

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

En route from Livingstone to Ndola, the crew contacted ground and decided to divert to Choma after an engine failed in flight. After touchdown, the aircraft encountered difficulties to stop within the remaining distance, overran and hit an embankment. On impact, the undercarriage were sheared off and the aircraft came to rest. There were no casualties.

Probable cause:

Engine failure in flight.

Crash of a Vickers 619 Wellington X in RAF Saint Eval: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 11, 1951

Type of aircraft:

Vickers 619 Wellington X

Operator:

Registration:

RP355

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

On final approach to RAF Saint Eval, the aircraft nosed down and crashed few miles short of runway. Two crew members were killed while the third occupant was seriously injured.

Probable cause:

For unknown reason, the pilot in command adopted a wrong approach configuration and referred to the approach procedures of the RAF Saint Merryn. It is believed that the loss of control occurred when he realized his mistake.

Crash of a Vickers 607 Valetta C.1 in Aqaba

Date & Time: May 30, 1951

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

VX544

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

473

YOM:

1950

Location:

Aqaba

Country:

Jordan

Region:

Asia

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

For unknown reason, the twin engine aircraft landed hard. Upon touchdown, an undercarriage collapsed, causing the aircraft to become out of control. There were no casualties but the airplane was considered as damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Vickers 619 Wellington X in RAF Hullavington: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 29, 1951

Type of aircraft:

Vickers 619 Wellington X

Operator:

Registration:

RP382

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Hullavington - Hullavington

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was performing a local training sortie at RAF Hullavington. On final approach by night and in poor weather conditions, the aircraft hit the ground 3 miles short of runway and crashed. Two crew members were killed while the third occupant was seriously injured. It was reported that the pilot in command was conducting the approach under visual flight rules and that the loss of control occurred while the crew was completing the approach briefing.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson T.21 in Little Sodbury: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 29, 1951

Type of aircraft:

Avro 652 Anson

Operator:

Registration:

VS582

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Hullavington - Hullavington

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was performing a local training sortie at RAF Hullavington. While approaching in poor weather conditions from the west, the twin engine aircraft became uncontrollable after improper handling on part of the copilot in command. The captain elected to regain control of the airplane that crashed in a field located southeast of Little Sodbury, about eight miles west of RAF Hullavington. Two crew members were killed while two others were seriously injured.
Crew:
F/Lt William Ellis Bowden, †
F/Lt Newton Mold, †
Cad L. G . Clarke,
Cad N. Orr.

Probable cause:

Improper actions by the copilot on approach led the aircraft to become uncontrollable. Several attempts to regain control by the captain were unsuccessful.

Crash of a Vickers 607 Valetta C.1 in RAF Dishforth

Date & Time: May 4, 1951

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

VW828

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site: