Crash of a Vickers 619 Wellington X in RAF Tangmere

Date & Time: Dec 8, 1949
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PF988
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a training flight over The Channel. While flying off the Channel Islands, the crew informed ground about an engine fire. The captain decided to divert to RAF Tangmere for an emergency landing. On final approach, he was unable to lower the gear so the aircraft belly landed, slid for several yards and came to rest in flames. While all three occupants were uninjured, the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Engine fire.

Crash of a Vickers Valetta in Deversoir AFB: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 28, 1949
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VW160
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
330
YOM:
24
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll, the aircraft suffered a loss of power simultaneously on both engines. The aircraft skidded and veered off runway before colliding with a Direction Finding station. All occupants escaped unhurt while a person in the station was killed. The aircraft was later considered as damaged beyond economical repair.

Crash of an Avro 652A Anson XI in RAF Kenley

Date & Time: Nov 23, 1949
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PH840
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Kenley - Kenley
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach, the pilot in command decided to perform a go around. During initial climb, an engine failed. The aircraft stalled and crashed. All three crew members were injured and the aircraft was written off.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.

Crash of a Short S.25 Sunderland GR.5 in Singapore: 5 killed

Date & Time: Nov 20, 1949 at 2200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NJ176
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Singapore – Hong Kong
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The departure from Singapore-Seletar Harbor for Hong Kong was performed in poor weather conditions with high winds, turbulences and thunderstorm activity. It appears the seaplane was overloaded and after takeoff, it encountered problems to gain height and crashed into the sea. Both pilots and three passengers were killed.

Crash of an Avro 685 York C.1 in Nairobi

Date & Time: Nov 15, 1949
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
MW297
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
London – Nairobi
MSN:
MW297
YOM:
1946
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
23
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Due to a lack of coordination and a poor flight preparation, the crew completed the approach to Nairobi-Wilson Airport instead of Nairobi-Eastleigh Airport. Following a wrong approach configuration, the four engine aircraft landed long, and after touchdown, was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran, lost its undercarriage and came to rest. While the aircraft was damaged beyond repair, all 27 occupants were unhurt.
Probable cause:
Crew error.

Crash of a Vickers 619 Wellington X in RAF Finningley

Date & Time: Nov 10, 1949
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PF993
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Finningley - Finningley
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a training sortie in RAF Finningley. While flying in the vicinity of the airbase, the aircraft collided with a flock of ducks. Both engines lost power and the pilot was forced to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed near the airfield and came to rest. There were no casualties.
Probable cause:
Bird strike.

Crash of an Avro 683 Lancaster B.1 off Selsey: 7 killed

Date & Time: Nov 3, 1949
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
TW908
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Upwood - Upwood
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a night training exercice called 'Bullseye', consisting of an in flight interception of a RAF Mosquito. While flying by night over The Channel, both aircraft collided and crashed into the sea about 8 miles south of Selsey. All seven crew members were killed as well as both pilots on board the Mosquito registered RL116.
Crew (148th Squadron):
F/O Jack Oldham, pilot
Donald McUsbie McCall, navigator,
William Meldrum, navigator,
Lyndon Harold Stevens, flight engineer,
Eric George Clarke, signaler,
Sydney Arthur Mason, gunner,
Cyril James Chapman, gunner.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-30-DK Dakota C.4 in Castel Benito

Date & Time: Oct 8, 1949
Operator:
Registration:
KN435
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
16116/32864
YOM:
1945
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Prior to departure, the captain was informed that the total weight of the aircraft was above the MTOW. Despite this, he took the decision to takeoff. Shortly after liftoff, while climbing to a height of 300 feet, the left engine failed. The captain decided to return for a safe landing and elected to reach the closest runway which was occupied by workers. The captain then extended the approach and landed after the roadworks. After touchdown, the airplane was unable to stop within the remaining distance, overran and came to rest. While all three occupants were unhurt, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

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

Date & Time: Sep 29, 1949
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
SX990
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Mildenhall - Mildenhall
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew (35th Squadron) was performing a local training sortie in RAF Mildenhall. While approaching by night, the four engine aircraft was too low and crashed in a field located 5 miles from runway 11 threshold. All four crew members were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.67 Hastings C.1 in Beacon Hill: 3 killed

Date & Time: Sep 26, 1949
Operator:
Registration:
TG499
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
3
YOM:
1948
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
While cruising at an altitude of 4,000 feet during a training sortie, the pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed in Beacon Hill, Wiltshire. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and all three crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control in flight due to the failure of the under-slung belly pannier that was torn off and hit tail.