Crash of a Vickers 290 Wellington I at RAF Methwold: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 6, 1939
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
L4345
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Methwold - Methwold
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a local training mission at RAF Methwold on behalf of 214th Squadron. On final approach, the instructor decided to initiated a go around procedure when the aircraft stalled and crashed short of runway, bursting into flames. Both pilots were killed.
Crew (214th Squadron):
P/O John Lingwood,
AC1 Arthur Matthews.

Crash of a Vickers 290 Wellington I in Boughton: 7 killed

Date & Time: Nov 5, 1939 at 1535 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
L4239
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Barton Bendish – Marham
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
On a ferry flight to Barton Bendish RLG, the crew decided to complete some training maneuvers. The pilot reduced his altitude and performed some sharp turns at low level when the aircraft hit a tree and crashed in a field located in Marks Farm, some 7 km southwest of RAF Marham. All seven crewmen were killed.
Crew (38th Squadron):
Sgt Edward Thomas Summers,
LAC David George,
AC1 John Clarence Bailey,
AC1 William Watson,
AC2 William Henry Dye,
AC2 Alan Hardman,
AC2 George Henry Charles Newman.
Probable cause:
Poor judgment on part of the pilot-in-command.

Crash of a Vickers 290 Wellington I off Happisburgh: 6 killed

Date & Time: Aug 29, 1939
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
L4257
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Mildenhall - Mildenhall
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The airplane departed RAF Mildenhall on a maritime survey flight, carrying six crew members from the 149th Squadron. While cruising in poor weather conditions, the airplane entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed into the North Sea some 8 km southeast of Happisburgh. All six occupants were killed.
Crew:
P/O John Lee Yerbury,
Sgt Olaf Thomas Victor Pitt,
A/Sgt Gladney Lumb,
AC1 David Islwyn George,
AC1 John Sydney Lewis,
AC1 Robert William Little.

Crash of a Vickers 290 Wellington I off Happisburgh: 5 killed

Date & Time: Aug 9, 1939
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
L4258
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Mildenhall - Mildenhall
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The airplane departed RAF Mildenhall on reconnaissance mission over the North Sea. In unknown circumstances, it crashed into the sea some 19 km northeast of Happisburgh. No trace of the aircraft nor the five crew members was found.
Crew:
F/O Thomas Adam Darling,
P/O Frank Edward Board,
Sgt Arthur Lickley,
AC1 Reginald Charles Barr Collins,
AC1 James William Sadler.

Crash of a Vickers 290 Wellington I at RAF Marham

Date & Time: May 15, 1939
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
L4243
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Marham - Marham
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a local training exercise at RAF Marham. While practicing a shallow dive attack on the airfield, an engine failed and caught fire. The pilot attempted an emergency landing in a nearby field when the aircraft collided with a hedge and crashed, bursting into flames. All five crew members escaped uninjured and the airplane was destroyed by fire.
Probable cause:
Engine failure in flight.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson I at RAF Bircham Newton: 3 killed

Date & Time: May 9, 1939
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
K6210
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Bircham Newton - Bircham Newton
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a local bombing exercice in the vicinity of the RAF Bircham Newton, in formation with four other similar airplanes. At the end of the exercise, the crew was returning to his base when the propeller blades of an Avro flying in a upper position from the K6210 impacted its tail. Out of control, K6210 entered a spin and crashed in a field located 1,5 km from the airport. All three crew members were killed while all other aircraft landed safely.
Crew:
Sgt Robert Norman Riddell,
Sgt David Peacock,
Cpl Charles Samson.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson I at RAF Bircham Newton

Date & Time: Apr 22, 1939
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
K6185
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Bircham Newton - Bircham Newton
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a night training flight out from RAF Bircham Newton. On final approach, while flying too low, the aircraft collided with trees and crashed in a field located short of runway. Both pilots were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Too low approach at night.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson I at RAF Bircham Newton

Date & Time: Dec 16, 1938
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
K8757
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Bircham Newton - Bircham Newton
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to RAF Bircham Newton, the twin engine aircraft stalled and hit a hedge before crashing short of runway. Both crew members were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
The airplane stalled on approach due to an insufficient speed.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson at RAF Bircham Newton

Date & Time: Dec 12, 1938
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
K8759
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Bircham Newton - Bircham Newton
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to RAF Bircham Newton, the twin engine aircraft was too low and hit tree tops before crashing in a wooded area. All four crew were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Too low approach on part of the crew.

Crash of a Fairey Hendon at RAF Marham

Date & Time: Feb 25, 1938
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
K5095
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Marham - Marham
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Parked at RAF Marham, the airplane was stolen by to Leading Aircraftmen neither of whom had any flying experience. After takeoff, while climbing at a height of about 150 feet, the airplane stalled and crashed. Both occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.