Middlesex | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

Shortly after takeoff from Hendon Airfield, while in initial climb, the crew informed ground that the right engine failed and elected to return for an emergency landing. The aircraft lost height and hit tree tops before crashing in a wooded area. All three crew members were killed.

Probable cause:

Engine failure.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson C.19 in RAF Hendon: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 9, 1948

Type of aircraft:

Avro 652 Anson

Operator:

Registration:

TX168

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Hendon - Hendon

Location:

Country:

Region:

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Circumstances:

On final approach to RAF Hendon, while performing a local training sortie, the aircraft stalled and hit several buildings located 1'100 yards short of the runway threshold. On impact, the aircraft nosed down and crashed on a trolleybus. Both pilots were killed while eight civilians seating in the trolleybus were seriously injured.

Probable cause:

It appears that the crew completed the final approach with an engine voluntarily inoperative. Due to an insufficient approach speed, the aircraft stalled and crashed. Following this accident, training flights with engine shut down will be prohibited at RAF Hendon and will be operated at RAF Bassingbourn.

Crash of a Stinson SR-10C Reliant at RAF Hendon

Date & Time: Aug 28, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Stinson SR-10 Reliant

Operator:

Registration:

W7978

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

5904

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

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Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Crashed on takeoff. Pilot rescued.

Ground accident of a De Havilland DH.89A Dragon Rapide in RAF Hendon

Date & Time: Apr 11, 1942

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide

Operator:

Registration:

W6456

Flight Phase:

Taxiing

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

6342

YOM:

1936

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

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Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While taxiing for departure, the aircraft's left tyre burst. The aircraft went out of control, veered off taxiway and came to rest. While all six occupants were unhurt, the aircraft was no repaired.

Probable cause:

Tyre burst.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim IV in Stanmore: 4 killed

Date & Time: Aug 23, 1941

Type of aircraft:

Bristol 142 Blenheim

Operator:

Registration:

V6179

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

Location:

Country:

Region:

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Circumstances:

While on a training exercise, the crew encountered an extremely poor visibility when the airplane collided with a house and crashed at Canons Park, Stanmore. All four crew members were killed.
Crew:
P/O Norma Frederick Thompson, pilot,
Sgt George Horace MacNamara, observer,
P/O Henry John Fuller, wireless operator,
P/O John Maxwell Dobson, air gunner.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim IV in Hendon

Date & Time: May 24, 1941

Type of aircraft:

Bristol 142 Blenheim

Operator:

Registration:

T1826

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Hendon - Hendon

Location:

Country:

Region:

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Circumstances:

The crew was engaged in a local training flight at Hendon Airport. For unknown reasons, the airplane overshot and crashed while trying to land. All three crew members evacuated safely.
Crew:
W/Cdr H. I. Edwards,
Sgt Ashplant,
Sgt Quinn.

Crash of a Vickers 416 Wellington IC in Hampton

Date & Time: Nov 14, 1940 at 0110 LT

Type of aircraft:

Vickers 416 Wellington IC

Operator:

Registration:

R3167

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Newmarket - Newmarket

Location:

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Circumstances:

The airplane departed RAF Newmarket in the evening of November 13 on an operation over Germany. While returning to base at night, it ran out of fuel and crashed near Hampton. The crew abandoned the aircraft and was rescued. Two crew were slightly injured.
Crew:
Sgt S. R. Andrews,
Sgt W. R. A. Dick,
Sgt F. Swatton,
Sgt J. A. Bowler,
Sgt R. W. Powell,
Sgt A. McNab.

Probable cause:

Fuel exhaustion.

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

Date & Time: Oct 17, 1940 at 2145 LT

Type of aircraft:

Vickers 416 Wellington IC

Operator:

Registration:

N2771

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

East Wretham - East Wretham

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Circumstances:

The airplane departed RAF East Wretham on an operation to Kiel. Few minutes after takeoff, the crew encountered icing conditions when control was lost. The airplane crashed on a tennis court located in Bentley Priory, near Stanmore. Five crew members were killed and a sixth occupant was seriously injured.
Crew (311th Squadron):
S/L Jan Vesely, †
P/O Jaroslav Matousek, †
P/O Jaroslav Slaby, †
Sgt Frantisek Zapletal, †
Sgt Josef Albrecht, †
P/O Frantisek Trular.

Probable cause:

Icing.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3-194B in Heston

Date & Time: Sep 21, 1940

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-3

Operator:

Registration:

G-AGBC

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Positioning

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

1939

YOM:

1937

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

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Circumstances:

Crashed on approach to Heston Airfield in foggy conditions. There were no casualties. The crew was performing an air bridge service between RAF Whitchurch, Heston and Lisbon.