Mid Glamorgan | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

Following a cross country flight, the crew was returning to his base at RAF Pershore when he encountered poor weather conditions over Wales with CB's and severe turbulence. The airplane went out of control and crashed in hilly terrain near Troed-y-Rhiw. All six crew members were killed.
Crew:
Sgt Jack Mathew Kennedy, pilot,
Sgt William McLafter Lomax, navigator,
Sgt William Smith, observer,
Sgt Neville Griffin,
Sgt William Haylett Lacey, wireless operator,
Sgt Frederick Thomas Ellingham, air gunner,
Sgt Desmond Walter Dowling, air gunner.

Probable cause:

The exact cause of the accident could not be determined. However, it is believed that the airplane entered cumulonimbus and was possibly strucked by lighting.

Crash of an Armstrong Whitworth AW.38 Whitley V in Sker Point

Date & Time: Jun 15, 1941

Type of aircraft:

Armstrong Whitworth AW.38 Whitley

Operator:

Registration:

T4163

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Stormy Down - Stormy Down

MSN:

1856

YOM:

1940

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Circumstances:

The airplane departed RAF Stormy Down for a training exercise with six crew members on board. En route, a propeller blade detached and the captain decided to attempt an emergency landing. The airplane belly landed in a sandy area located northeast of Sker Point and came to rest. All six crew members evacuated safely.
Crew:
P/O J. D. Gardiner,
LAC V. G. Carpenter,
LAC W. C. Corner,
LAC G. S. Harris,
LAC D. R. Carter,
LAC C. Covus.

Probable cause:

Emergency landing following the loss of a propeller blade in flight.

Crash of an Armstrong Whitworth AW.38 Whitley V in Rhymney: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 13, 1940 at 0142 LT

Type of aircraft:

Armstrong Whitworth AW.38 Whitley

Operator:

Registration:

T4232

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Leeming - Leeming

MSN:

1905

YOM:

1940

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Circumstances:

The airplane departed RAF Leeming at 2312LT on November 12 on an operation to Lorient. Still outbound, it crashed in unknown circumstances near Rhymney, bursting into flames. A crew member was killed and four others were injured.
Crew:
Sgt Peter Dickens Goldsmith, †
F/O P. W. F. Landell,
P/O F. R. Goddard,
Sgt E. G. Christie,
Sgt E. P. Lewis.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.52 Hampden I at RAF Newton Down

Date & Time: Feb 24, 1940

Type of aircraft:

Handley Page H.P.52 Hampden

Operator:

Registration:

L4198

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Newton Down - Newton Down

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Circumstances:

The pilot was completing a local solo training flight out from RAF Newton Down. The airplane crashed upon landing for unknown reasons. The pilot was injured.
Crew:
P/O R. P. J. Radbourne, pilot.

Crash of a Vickers 290 Wellington I near Aberdare

Date & Time: Sep 19, 1939 at 0700 LT

Type of aircraft:

Vickers 290 Wellington I

Operator:

Registration:

L4256

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

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Site:

Schedule:

Harwell - Harwell

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Circumstances:

The crew departed RAF Harwell at 2000LT on 18SEP1939 for a night training exercise. After 11 hours of flight, fuel reserves were low and the crew decided to abandon the aircraft. Out of control, the bomber dove into the ground and crashed in the mountainous region of Glyn-Neath, some 13 km northwest of Aberdare, Mid Glamorgan. All five crewmen were uninjured while the aircraft was destroyed.
Crew (75th Squadron):
F/Lt Alfred Howard Smythe,
F/O Peter James Robert Kitchin,
Sgt Thomas Robert Moss,
Sgt John Harris Hollingworth,
AC1 William Edward Denis Salt.

Probable cause:

Fuel exhaustion and communication system failure.

Crash of a Short S.16 Scion II in Porthcawl

Date & Time: Jul 26, 1936

Type of aircraft:

Short S.16 Scion

Operator:

Registration:

G-ADDT

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

S.790

YOM:

1935

Location:

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Circumstances:

The airplane was taking part to an airshow in Porthcawl. The pilot was completing a demo flight when the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances. All three occupants were rescued.
The photo here above was taken on 10th May 1936. British Empire displays visited Westwood, Heath near Coventry. Undercarriage struck a hedge when taking off. The pilot circled the field and landed with minimal damage and no injury on the one remaining undercarriage leg.
Thanks to Gordon Riley for his contribution.