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Bedfordshire

Crash of an Avro 19/2 in Luton

Date & Time: Apr 21, 1949
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
G-AIKM
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
1364
YOM:
1946
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Luton, the crew encountered an unknown technical problem and elected to return. The pilot in command realized this would not be possible so he reduced his altitude in an attempt to make an emergency landing. The twin engine aircraft belly landed in a pasture and skidded for several yards before coming to rest with the left engine sheared off. Both crew members were unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.80 Puss Moth in Eaton Bray

Date & Time: Aug 31, 1947
Registration:
G-ABYP
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
White Waltham – Eaton Bray
MSN:
2233
YOM:
1932
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On approach to Eaton Bray aerodrome, the single engine aircraft stalled and crashed in flames. Both occupants, among them the pilot and owner Joan Nayler, were quickly rescued and uninjured. The aircraft was destroyed by fire.
Source & photos: http://www.onthewire.co.uk/bray4.htm

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.63 Halifax V in Tetworth Hill: 9 killed

Date & Time: Jan 8, 1944 at 0115 LT
Operator:
Registration:
LK743
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Tempsford - Tempsford
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
The aircraft left RAF Tempsford at 2032LT on 07JAN1944 bound for Belgium on Operation Tybalt 3 and Thersites 4 with three Belgian agents on board. While returning to its base, on final approach by night, the aircraft went out of control and crashed in Tetworth Hill, less than 2 km short of runway. All ten occupants were killed.
Crew:
H. M. Kennedy,
T. S. Howlett,
V. A. E. Theedom,
S. Whiteley,
E. Thripp,
D. F. Davies,
P. S. Barlow.
Passengers:
Henri Verhaegen 2.
Probable cause:
According to the RAF, the loss of control on final approach was caused by the failure of the number one engine.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.89 Dominie I in RAF Cranfield: 5 killed

Date & Time: Nov 11, 1943
Operator:
Registration:
X7368
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Hucknall - Cranfield
MSN:
6528
YOM:
1941
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
On final approach to RAF Cranfield, the twin engine aircraft collided with a RAF Bristol Beaufighter registered R2252 and carrying a crew of three. Following the collision, both planes dove into the ground and crashed in flames in a field located few hundred yards short of runway threshold. All eight occupants on both aircraft were killed.
Crew of DH.89 Dominie I:
F/Lt Archibald Menzies Fitzrandolph, pilot.
Passengers:
F/Lt Ian Harper Courtney,
Sgt Eric Povey,
2nd Lt M. Schenker,
2nd Lt J. K. Peters.
Crew of Beaufighter:
F/Lt Michael William Kinmonth, pilot,
F/Sgt Lionel Maxwell Amesbury, pilot,
Cpl Jose Cecilia Hayes.

Crash of a Douglas DB-7 Havoc I in RAF Thurleigh: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 28, 1942 at 1905 LT
Operator:
Registration:
BJ501
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Thurleigh - Thurleigh
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
On final approach to RAF Thurleigh, the pilot abandoned the landing procedure and attempted a go around. During initial climb, the twin engine aircraft went to a steep angle of climb, pitched up, stalled and crashed. The pilot, who was performing his first solo flight, was killed.
Crew (51st OTU):
Sgt Leonard James Casey.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson III in Biggleswade: 4 killed

Date & Time: Apr 1, 1942 at 2235 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
AE558
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Oulton - Oulton
MSN:
414-3913
YOM:
1941
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The crew departed RAF Oulton on a training exercise. While cruising at night, the airplane entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in a pasture in Biggleswade. All four crew members were killed.
Crew:
P/O John Homfray Ellis, pilot,
Sgt Harry Clarke, observer,
Sgt George Horton, wireless operator,
Sgt William Lluney, wireless operator.
Probable cause:
Fuel starvation suspected.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim IV at RAF Cranfield

Date & Time: Mar 26, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
V5798
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Cranfield - Cranfield
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The pilot was completing a local training exercise at RAF Cranfield when the airplane crashed for unknown reasons upon landing and was later destroyed after a second RAF Blenheim registered V5932 ran into it. There were no injuries.
Crew:
Sgt H. Ferris, pilot.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim IV at RAF Cranfield

Date & Time: Mar 26, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
V5932
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Cranfield - Cranfield
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The pilot was completing a local training exercise at RAF Cranfield. After landing, the airplane ran into a second RAF Blenheim registered V5798 that just crashed earlier. There were no injuries.
Crew:
Sgt K. R. McCorick, pilot.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim IV at RAF Cranfield

Date & Time: Feb 23, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
L4845
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Cranfield - Cranfield
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 exercise at RAF Cranfield when an engine failed on approach. The airplane crashed upon landing and came to rest, bursting into flames. Both crew members evacuated safely.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.

Crash of a Douglas A-20 Havoc I at RAF Cranfield: 1 killed

Date & Time: Feb 12, 1942
Operator:
Registration:
AE457
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Cranfield - Cranfield
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot was engaged in a local solo training flight at RAF Cranfield. Shortly after a night takeoff, he lost control of the airplane that crashed near the airfield. The pilot was killed.
Crew:
P/O Charles David Fearnley Kaye, pilot.