Country
code

Fife

Crash of a Vickers 474 Warwick V in RAF Leuchars: 5 killed

Date & Time: May 16, 1946
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PN749
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Leuchars - Leuchars
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a training mission. While completing an umpteenth approach, the aircraft banked left, dove into the ground and crashed in a huge explosion on a road leading to the airport. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and all five crew members were killed.
Crew (6th OTU):
F/Sgt N. F. Bates, pilot,
W/O J. A. Willmott, pilot,
F/Sgt S. V. Titchener, navigator,
F/Sgt G. R. Green, wireless operator,
W/O J. P. Magee, wireless operator.
Probable cause:
The loss of control on approach was attributed to the failure of the left engine.

Crash of a Lockheed 18-56 LodeStar off RAF Leuchars: 10 killed

Date & Time: Dec 17, 1943 at 2245 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
G-AGDE
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Stockholm - Leuchars
MSN:
2086
YOM:
1941
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Stockholm-Bromma Airport, the twin engine aircraft was descending to RAF Leuchars in marginal weather and icing conditions. By night, while cruising at a height of 6,000 feet, the aircraft went out of control and dove into the sea some 24 km off the Airbase. SAR operations were quickly deployed on site but no trace of the aircraft nor the 10 occupants was found.
Probable cause:
Control was lost on approach to RAF Leuchars due to excessive ice accumulation on wings surface and fuselage while the aircraft was flying in icing conditions.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.86 Express near RAF Donibristle: 7 killed

Date & Time: Mar 31, 1943 at 1521 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
AX844
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
2322
YOM:
1934
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
In unknown circumstances, the four-engine aircraft crashed in a field near the RAF Donibristle. A passenger was seriously injured while seven other occupants were killed.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.60M Moth at RAF Donibristle

Date & Time: Oct 20, 1941
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
W9368
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
1600
YOM:
1930
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The single engine airplane crashed upon takeoff from RAF Donibristle for unknown reasons. The pilot escaped uninjured.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson near Dunino: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 10, 1941
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N7396
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Leuchars - Leuchars
MSN:
414-1795
YOM:
1940
Location:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Few minutes after takeoff from RAF Leuchars, while cruising at low height, the twin engine airplane impacted a hill and crashed 5 km west of Dunino, south of Saint Andrews. The airplane was destroyed and both crewmen were killed. The crew consisted of an instructor and a pilot under training.
Crew:
Sgt WILLEM Hijkoop, instructor,
Sgt Anton Marie Ten Herkel, student pilot.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a Junkers JU.88A-5 off Crail: 4 killed

Date & Time: May 6, 1941 at 0151 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
F6+DK
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
0332
Location:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The bomber was approaching the British coast when it was shot down by enemy fire and crashed into the sea northeast of Crail. All four crew members were killed.
Crew:
Ofw K. Fischer, pilot,
Oblt H. Stefan, observer,
Uffz H. J. Nattkemper, radio operator,
Uffz A. Dietel, mechanic.
Probable cause:
Shot down by enemy fire.

Crash of a Junkers JU.88A off Isle of May: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jul 9, 1940
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The airplane was engaged in a mine laying mission when it was shot down by the pilots of two RAF Spitfires and crashed into the sea off the Isle of May. All four crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
Shot down by two British fighters.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson I at RAF Leuchars

Date & Time: Jan 15, 1940 at 0820 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N7245
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Leuchars - Leuchars
MSN:
414-1641
YOM:
1939
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On 15 January 1940 the Hudson I N7245 ZS-F of 233 Sqn RAF was taking off at 0820 hrs from Leuchars for a patrol when the pilot, F/O Andrew Hood McLaren, raised the undercarriage too soon. The Hudson stalled and ran into an electric transformer in a wood and caught fire. The crew escaped uninjured through the cabin door and ran from the burning wreck before the bombs had time to explode. F/O McLaren when well clear of the aircraft observed the Fire Tender and crew approaching to render assistance without knowing that the crew had already escaped. Without any hesitation he returned to the crash, warned the Fire Tender crew of the danger, and ordered them to get clear. Immediately after they were at a safe distance the bombs exploded, four minutes after the crash, blowing into small fragments the whole aircraft, except the engines. Had it not been for the prompt action of this officer several lives might have been lost, and this deed and some others won him a DFC on 16 April 1940, sadly being lost four days before. Of the three other crew, only one name is known, P/O A. E. Evans.

Source: http://rcafassociation.ca/uploads/airforce/2009/07/canrafm-r.html
Probable cause:
Premature retraction of the landing gear during the takeoff roll on part of the pilot.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim IF at RAF Leuchars: 4 killed

Date & Time: Dec 1, 1939 at 1035 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
L8691
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Turnhouse – Leuchars
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
On approach to RAF Leuchars, while descending in clouds, the airplane went out of control and crashed. All four crew members were killed.
Crew:
P/O Richard Michael Williams, pilot,
P/O Horace George Yelland, pilot,
AC2 Leonard Dale, wireless operator and air gunner,
AC2 John Cooper Hunt, wireless operator and air gunner.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson I at RAF Leuchars

Date & Time: Nov 19, 1939 at 1110 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N7213
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Leuchars - Leuchars
MSN:
414-1609
YOM:
1939
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Upon takeoff, the right wing dropped. The aircraft swung and crashed. All four crew members escaped uninjured while the airplane was damaged beyond repair.
Crew:
F/Lt Albert Edward Williamson +3.