Inverness-shire | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The aircraft was completing a flight from Wick to RAF Lossiemouth. While flying over the Moray Firth, the aircraft went out of control and crashed into the sea off Inverness. Despite significant SAR operations, no trace of the aircraft nor the crew was found.
Crew (782nd Squadron):
Lt Anthony J. E. Howey,
LAC Cyril A. Tilbury,
LAC Frederick J. Burton,
LAC John Graham,
LAC William Thompson
F/Sgt Frank S. Barnes,
LAC Leslie Bool,
AC2 Sidney J. W. Clark,
AC1 Kenneth Douglas Drage,
LAC John Garden,
Cpl Edward F. J. W. Hoare,
AC1 Kenneth R. Morse,
F/Lt Walter H. Nicholson,
Sgt Eric J. M. Riordan,
AC1 James S. Stevenson 3.

Crash of a Vickers 416 Wellington IC near Corrour: 5 killed

Date & Time: Dec 10, 1942 at 1500 LT

Type of aircraft:

Vickers 416 Wellington IC

Operator:

Registration:

L7867

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

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Schedule:

Lossiemouth - Lossiemouth

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While on a training exercise from RAF Lossiemouth, the crew encountered poor weather conditions en route. The bomber was off course by 40 miles when it hit the slope of Leacann na Brathan located near Corrour. Five crew members were killed while the air gunner was badly injured.
Crew (20th OTU):
F/O James William Heck, pilot, †
Sgt Maurice Hutt, bomb aimer, †
Sgt William Ernest Riley, navigator, †
Sgt Joseph Towers, navigator, †
Sgt James Hemmings, wireless operator and air gunner, †
Sgt Philip Edward Underwood, air gunner.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim IV off Inverness: 1 killed

Date & Time: Feb 13, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Bristol 142 Blenheim

Operator:

Registration:

Z6033

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Inverness - MacMerry

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Circumstances:

The airplane departed Inverness on a flight to RAF MacMerry, carrying a crew of four. Shortly after takeoff, while climbing, the left engine failed. The airplane stalled and crashed in shallow water in the Moray Firth. A crew was drowned and three others were rescued. The airplane was destroyed.
Crew:
P/O Walter Robert Mummery, pilot,
Sgt William Jack Owen Nightingale, observer, †
Lt K. A. Whittome,
Sgt J. H. Field, wireless operator and air gunner.

Probable cause:

Failure of the left engine during initial climb.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.84 Dragon II in Inverness

Date & Time: Dec 14, 1939

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.84 Dragon

Operator:

Registration:

G-ADCT

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Glasgow – Inverness

MSN:

6095

YOM:

1935

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Circumstances:

On final approach to Inverness-Dalcross Airport, the twin engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances short of runway. All eight occupants were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.84 Dragon off Inverness

Date & Time: Jan 8, 1935

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.84 Dragon

Operator:

Registration:

G-ACGK

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Inverness – Kirkwall

MSN:

6033

YOM:

1933

Location:

Country:

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Circumstances:

Shortly after take off from Inverness Airport, while climbing, the twin engine aircraft stalled and crashed in the Beauly Firth. All three occupants were injured while the aircraft was lost.