Bedfordshire

Operator:

Registration:

N6163

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Cranfield - Cranfield

Location:

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Circumstances:

The pilot departed RAF Cranfield on a solo training flight. The airplane crashed for unknown reasons at King's Wood near Ampthill. The pilot was killed.
Crew:
Sgt Richard John Latham, pilot.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim I at RAF Cranfield

Date & Time: Jan 24, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

L6750

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Cranfield - Cranfield

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

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Pax on board:

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Circumstances:

The pilot was completing a local solo training flight at RAF Cranfield. While circling in the vicinity of the airbase, one of the engine caught fire. The pilot attempted an emergency landing when the airplane crash landed, bursting into flames. The pilot was uninjured and the airplane was destroyed by fire.
Crew:
F/Sgt Knowles, pilot.

Probable cause:

One of the engine caught fire in flight.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim IF in Steppingley: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 5, 1941

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N6172

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Douglas A-20 Havoc/DB-7 Boston

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Cranfield - Cranfield

MSN:

9272

YOM:

1939

Location:

Country:

Region:

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Circumstances:

The pilot departed RAF Cranfield on a night solo training flight. On approach to the airbase, the artificial horizon failed. The pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed in Beckering Park, about 9 km southeast of the airfield. The pilot was killed.
Crew:
Sgt Douglas Walter Raley, pilot.

Probable cause:

Loss of control following the failure of the artificial horizon at night .

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

Date & Time: Nov 21, 1941

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

BT460

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Cranfield - Cranfield

Location:

Country:

Region:

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Crew fatalities:

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Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The pilot was completing a local solo training exercise at RAF Cranfield. For unknown reasons, the airplane belly landed and was damaged beyond repair. The pilot escaped uninjured.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim I at RAF Cranfield: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 17, 1941 at 2340 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

L1353

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Cranfield - Cranfield

MSN:

8636

YOM:

1938

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

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Circumstances:

The crew departed RAF Cranfield on a night training exercise. Shortly after takeoff, the airplane encountered difficulties to gain height, struck a tree and crashed. Both crew members were killed.
Crew:
Sgt Mark Radford Cuke, pilot,
Sgt John James Green, observer.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim IF at RAF Cranfield: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 7, 1941 at 1930 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

L6748

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Cranfield - Cranfield

Location:

Country:

Region:

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Circumstances:

The pilot was completing a local solo training flight at RAF Cranfield. On final approach, the airplane impacted the ground and crashed near the airfield. The pilot was killed.
Crew:
P/O Harold Rolin Baker, pilot.

Probable cause:

Failure of the pilot to consult his altimeter during the approach procedure, causing the airplane to descend too low and to impact the ground.

Crash of an Avro 679 Manchester I in Roxton

Date & Time: Nov 2, 1941

Type of aircraft:

Avro 679 Manchester

Operator:

Registration:

L7520

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Location:

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Region:

Crew on board:

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Circumstances:

While on a training flight, the airplane suffered a failure of the port engine. All attempts to feather the airscrew failed and the airplane crash landed near Roxton. All crew members escaped uninjured.
Crew:
P/O A. L. Searby +6.

Probable cause:

Failure of the left engine in flight.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim IVF at RAF Cranfield: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 12, 1941 at 0345 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

L4849

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site: