Orkney | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

Following an uneventful flight from Glasgow, the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances while on approach to RAF Hatston near Kirkwall. The aircraft was destroyed and all 9 occupants were uninjured.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.54 Harrow II at RAF Hatston

Date & Time: Apr 15, 1940

Type of aircraft:

Handley Page H.P.54 Harrow

Operator:

Registration:

K6985

Flight Phase:

Taxiing

Flight Type:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Hatston - Hatston

Location:

Hatston AFB (Kirkwall)

Orkney

Country:

United Kingdom

Region:

Europe

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was engaged in a reconnaissance mission over the North Sea. While taxiing at RAF Hatston, near Kirkwall, the aircraft went out of control and collided with a hangar. All crewmen were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.89A Dragon Rapide in Wideford

Date & Time: Mar 18, 1940

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide

Operator:

Registration:

G-AFEY

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Glasgow – Kirkwall

MSN:

6402

YOM:

1938

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While approaching Kirkwall Airport, the twin engine aircraft hit a hill in Wideford, some 5 miles northwest of the airfield. All six occupants were injured while the aircraft was wrecked. For unknown reason, the pilot was performing the approach at a too low altitude and did not sea the hill.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson I off Orkney Islands: 4 killed

Date & Time: Dec 27, 1939

Type of aircraft:

Avro 652 Anson

Operator:

Registration:

K6286

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was performing a maritime patrol flight off the Orkney Islands. En route, the pilot lost control of the aircraft following an engine failure. All four crew members were killed.
Crew (269th Squadron):
P/O A. J. MacDonald,
P/O J. B. Beer,
AC1 T. Finnigan,
AC1 W. T. Lowey.

Probable cause:

Engine failure.

Crash of a Junkers JU.88A-1 on Hoy Island: 3 killed

Date & Time: Oct 17, 1939

Type of aircraft:

Junkers JU.88

Operator:

Registration:

4D+EK

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Westerland - Westerland

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The airplane departed Westerland-Sylt Airport on a reconnaissance mission with four crew members on board. While flying over the Orkneys, the airplane was shot down by ground fire and crashed near the mouth of Pegal Burn. Three crew members were killed and a fourth was injured.
Crew:
Obltn Walter Flaemig, †
Ofw Faust, †
Uffz Attenburger, †
Uffz Fritz Ambrosius.

Probable cause:

Shot down by ground fire.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.84 Dragon 1 in Kirkwall

Date & Time: Aug 29, 1934

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.84 Dragon

Operator:

Registration:

G-ACCE

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Dalcross – Kirkwall

MSN:

6010

YOM:

1933

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was completing a cargo flight from Dalcross to Kirkwall. The airplane crashed for unknown reasons while landing at Kirkwall Airport. Both occupants were injured and the airplane was destroyed.