Crash of an Avro 652 Anson C19 into the Atlantic Ocean: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 10, 1951
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VM386
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Gibraltar – Lisbon
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a flight from Gibraltar to Lisbon to assist the crew of a RAF Halifax that diverted to Lisbon. While flying over the Atlantic Ocean, weather conditions deteriorated and the pilot decided to divert to Tangiers and later to Cadix. As the aircraft was short of fuel, he was forced to ditch the airplane 56 km south of Cadix and the radio operator was able to send a brief message before the aircraft impacted water and sank. All three crew members and two passengers took refuge in a dinghy while a third passenger drowned.
Crew (224th Squadron):
F/O Wilson, pilot,
F/O Ferguson, navigator,
F/Lt Joseph Charles Laurier Roger Labelle, wireless operator.
Passengers:
F/O Miller, †
Sgt Dobbs,
SAC C. Chambers.
Probable cause:
Fuel exhaustion in bad weather.

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

Date & Time: Mar 7, 1951
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NA905
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Swinderby - Swinderby
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a local training sortie at RAF Swinderby. While descending to the airfield, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and was unable to locate the runway. In such conditions, the pilot in command decided to abandon the approach and attempted a go around. Few minutes later, while completing a second attempt to land, the pilot could not distinguish the approach lights and lost control of the aircraft that crashed two miles short of runway. The airplane was destroyed and both crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
It was reported that the loss of control was caused by hazardous maneuvers committed by the pilot during the approach.

Crash of a Vickers 619 Wellington X in RAF Swinderby: 3 killed

Date & Time: Feb 26, 1951
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NB118
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Swinderby - Swinderby
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a local training sortie at RAF Swinderby. On final approach, the pilot in command decided to abandon the landing and attempted a go around. The aircraft climbed to a height of 250 feet when it stalled and crashed in a huge explosion near the runway end. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and all three crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the climb speed was too low, causing the aircraft to stall while completing a go around procedure.

Crash of a Vickers 607 Valetta C.1 in Stockholm: 1 killed

Date & Time: Feb 18, 1951 at 1115 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VX514
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Uppsala - Cranwell
MSN:
454
YOM:
1950
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
17
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The aircraft was performing a flight from Uppsala to RAF Cranwell, carrying 17 cadets and a crew of four. About 40 minutes after takeoff, the right engine suffered oil issues and the crew decided to feather the right propeller and to divert to Bromma Airport. On final approach, the pilot in command encountered low visibility due to poor weather conditions and was unable to distinguish clearly the runway. In such conditions, he decided to make a go around when the aircraft, contaminated by ice, could not gain height and crashed on the slope of a hill located 2,5 km west of the airport. Twelve occupants were injured and eight others were unhurt. Unfortunately, the copilot F/Lt D. H. Davy was killed.

Crash of a Short S.25 Sunderland near Béja: 8 killed

Date & Time: Feb 16, 1951
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
SZ598
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
While flying in poor weather conditions, the aircraft hit the slope of a hill (1,000 feet high) shrouded in clouds. All eight crew members were killed. At the time of the accident, the aircraft was off course by 26 km and its altitude was 1,700 feet too low.

Crash of a Short S.25 Sunderland GR5 near Yuli: 14 killed

Date & Time: Jan 28, 1951 at 0840 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PP107
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Iwakuni – Hong Kong
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
14
Circumstances:
The aircraft was performing a flight from Iwakuni AFB to Hong Kong on behalf of the UN Command for the Korean War. While cruising at an altitude of 5,000 feet in poor weather conditions, the Sunderland hit the slope of a mountain located near Yuli, Taiwan. The wreckage was found few days later in an isolated area and all 14 occupants have been killed.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty. However, it is the opinion of the board that the aircraft was off course at the time of the accident, most probably due to a navigational error on part of the flying crew.

Crash of an Avro 694 Lincoln B2 in RAF Binbrook: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 18, 1951
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
RA712
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Binbrook - Binbrook
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training sortie at RAF Binbrook. After completing several approaches with one engine inoperative, the crew started a new approach when, on final, control was lost. The airplane stalled and hit the ground about 150 yards short of runway threshold. It slid for several yards and eventually collided with two other RAF Avro Lincoln parked on the tarmac. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire and the captain was killed while all five other occupants were injured. It is believed that the loss of control was caused by an insufficient approach speed.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.70 Halifax VIII in Gibraltar

Date & Time: Jan 16, 1951 at 1457 LT
Operator:
Registration:
RG837
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Gibraltar - Gibraltar
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a local training flight in Gibraltar-North Front Airfield. After completing several approaches with one engine inoperative, the pilot in command started a new approach when a second engine failed. The aircraft stalled and hit the runway surface, went out of control and came to rest partially submerged. All six crew members were rescued while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. The exact cause of the engine failure remains unknown.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.

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

Date & Time: Jan 1, 1951
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VS580
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Hullavington - Hullavington
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from RAF Hullavington, while in initial climb, the aircraft stalled and crash landed in a field. Both crew members were unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. It was reported that both engines lost power shortly after rotation for unknown reason. The crew was engaged in a local training mission.
Probable cause:
Loss of engine power after rotation.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.63 Halifax Met.6 off Barra Head: 8 killed

Date & Time: Dec 29, 1950 at 1330 LT
Operator:
Registration:
ST798
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Belfast - Belfast
Region:
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
The crew left Belfast-Aldergrove Airport to perform a meteorological mission over the North Atlantic. While cruising southeast of the Hebrides Islands, the four engine aircraft went out of control and crashed into the sea about 24 km southeast of Barra Head. SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the crew was found. On January 16, 1951, the body of the captain and some debris were found by fishermen. It is believed that the loss of control may have been caused by a sudden in flight fire.
Crew (202nd Squadron):
S/L Terence Anthony Cox, pilot,
P/O Donald Nattriss, copilot,
Sgt Edward Arthur Keeble,
Sgt John Frederick Stanley Black,
F/Sgt John Henry Cobbold,
Sgt William Richard Martindale,
Sgt Stuart Gordon Purches,
Sgt Gerald Walklate.