Moray (Elginshire)

The aircraft was one of three Nimrod reconnaissance variants and had just undergone a major servicing at the Nimrod Major Servicing Unit (NMSU), RAF Kinloss by RAF maintenance personnel. Nimrod XW666 departed on a routine post-servicing airtest. After approximately 35 minutes of flight, following a test of the aircraft's anti-icing system, the No 4 engine fire warning illuminated. Whilst the crew were carrying out the fire drill, the No 3 engine fire warning also illuminated. A rear crew member confirmed that the aircraft was on fire and advised the captain that panels were falling away from the starboard wing. After two explosions, the captain feared for the structural integrity of the aircraft and decided to ditch before he lost control authority. Without the aid of flaps, which failed to operate because of a fire/associated hydraulic failure, he completed a controlled ditching into the Moray Firth. The aircraft bounced twice onto the sea before settling. The fuselage broke into two and the aircraft subsequently sank. Parts were salvaged and the cockpit section is now on display at AeroVenture South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum in Doncaster.

Just before 07:30 a crew took off in semi-darkness on the final sortie of their conversion from the Nimrod 1 to the Nimrod MR2 aircraft. Being the final sortie, the normal crew was increased to 20 by 5 checking crew and an additional Air Engineer. The surface wind was 070 degrees at 02 kts, with 8 km visibility in rain and a main cloud base of 3000 ft. Engine response and indications during the takeoff run were normal, but shortly after takeoff, at an estimated height of 20 ft, the aircraft flew through a dense flock of Canada Geese flying in arrowhead formation between overnight roosting and daily feeding grounds. It suffered numerous bird-strikes. Almost simultaneously the no.1 engine surged violently, suffering a catastrophic internal failure. The low pressure compressors on the nos 2 and 3 engines were also damaged and, although they continued to run, they produced little thrust. Effectively the fully laden aircraft was being powered by only the No 4 engine which itself may have been damaged. Some 27 seconds after takeoff the aircraft came down on the relatively soft tree-tops of a forest of young pine trees 1300 yards from the end of the runway and was quickly engulfed in flames.
Source: ASN

For unknown reason, the airplane landed hard and was considered as damaged beyond repair and retired from service. All seven crew airman were uninjured.

The crew was engaged in a local training mission out from RAF Kinloss on behalf of the 201st Squadron. While completing a last turn to join the approach path, the airplane went out of control and crashed into the sea some 8 miles offshore. The aircraft was destroyed and all seven crew members were killed.

The crew was engaged in a night training mission at RAF Kinloss. After completing several manoeuvres in the area, the crew started a descent to the airbase when the instructor decided to abandon the approach and attempted a go around. Few minutes later, in limited visibility, the crew did not realize his altitude was insufficient when the airplane struck trees and crashed in flames in a dense wooded area located five miles east of the airfield. Four crew members were injured and three other were unhurt. Unfortunately, the captain and one student pilot were killed.
Source: http://tonycunnane.uk/page-261.html

The crew was performing a local training flight at RAF Kinloss, consisting of touch and goes. On takeoff, the propellers failed to go into fine pitch. The captain aborted the takeoff procedure and started an emergency braking maneuver. Eventually, the captain selected the undercarriage up but only the nose wheel retracted. The twin engine aircraft overran and came to rest in a field. All eight crew members were uninjured while the airplane was considered as damaged beyond repair.

While cruising at low height, the twin engine aircraft hit tree tops and crashed in a huge explosion. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, the aircraft went out of control and crashed in flames. All five crew members were killed.
Crew (236th OCU):
F/Lt Richard Gwynn Williams,
F/Lt Leslie George Harris,
F/Lt Alfred Enos Stephens,
Nav John Cunningham,
Sig Ernest Geal.

The crew was completing a training sortie in RAF Kinloss. The final approach was completed in heavy cross winds (up to 50 knots) and during the last segment, the captain decided to abandon the landing procedure and started a go around maneuver. During initial climb, while at a height of 250 feet, the four engine aircraft went out of control and crashed in a huge explosion. All eight crew members were killed.

For unknown reasons, the aircraft landed hard. On touchdown, the landing gears were sheared off, the aircraft skidded on runway and came to rest. While all crew members were unhurt, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. Crew (20th OTU).