Rutland

Survivors:

Site:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Schedule:

North Luffenham - North Luffenham

MSN:

16401/33149

YOM:

1945

Location:

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Circumstances:

The crew was completing a night training sortie in RAF North Luffenham. While flying in the vicinity of the airbase, the pilot inadvertently shot down both engines. The aircraft lost speed and height and the crew tried several times to restart the engine without success. In such situation, the captain decided to attempt an emergency landing. The airplane belly landed in a field near the airbase and slid for several yards before coming to rest in flames. While all three crew members were unhurt, the aircraft was destroyed by fire.

Probable cause:

Inadvertent shut down of both engines in flight on part of the crew.

Ground accident of a Douglas C-47B-40-DK Dakota C.4 in RAF North Luffenham

Date & Time: May 23, 1949

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

KN551

Flight Phase:

Taxiing

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

16830/33578

YOM:

1945

Location:

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Circumstances:

While holding for takeoff, the Dakota registered KN551 was hit by another RAF Dakota registered KJ810. The accident occurred in unclear circumstances and there were no injuries. While KJ810 was repaired, KN551 was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Vickers 619 Wellington X near RAF Cottesmore: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jun 5, 1947

Type of aircraft:

Vickers 619 Wellington X

Operator:

Registration:

NC474

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Handley Page H.P.63 Halifax VII

Location:

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Circumstances:

The crew was performing a training sortie when the aircraft went out of control, nosed down, lost several pieces and partially disintegrated in the air before crashing in a field located 6 miles east of RAF Cottesmore. All three crew members were killed.

Probable cause:

The exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty. Nevertheless, the loss of control might be the result of poor weather conditions or a structural or a mechanical failure.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.63 Halifax VI in RAF North Luffenham

Date & Time: May 17, 1947

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

PP373

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

North Luffenham - North Luffenham

Location:

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Circumstances:

During the takeoff roll, clear for rotation, the pilot lost directional control of the aircraft that overran and came to rest. There were no casualties but the aircraft was written off.

Probable cause:

Directional control was lost on takeoff due to a failure of the elevator control system caused by a wrong bolt type that was fixed.

Crash of an Avro 683 Lancaster III in RAF North Luffenham: 7 killed

Date & Time: Mar 18, 1946

Type of aircraft:

Avro 683 Lancaster

Operator:

Registration:

NG437

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Vickers 416 Wellington IC

Schedule:

North Luffenham - North Luffenham

Location:

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Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, the aircraft encountered serious difficulties to gain height and was in a constant stall attitude, with nose up and tail down. The captain increased engine power but the aircraft lost height, hit the ground and crashed in a huge explosion. All seven crew members were killed.
Crew (1653 HCU):
Sgt Anthony Fredrick Barnard Blaikley,
W/O Reginald Thomas Nutting,
Sgt Anthony Bone,
F/Sgt Frank Keighley Dexter,
F/Sgt Alexander John Rossiter,
F/Sgt Alfred Albert Willis Thomas,
Sgt Thomas Edward Valler.

Probable cause:

The pilot was completing his first flight on this aircraft as a captain and probably put the elevators in a wrong setting at takeoff.

Crash of a Vickers 416 Wellington IC in RAF Cottesmore

Date & Time: Dec 2, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

L7850

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Site:

Handley Page H.P.52 Hampden

Schedule:

Cottesmore - Cottesmore

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Circumstances:

The crew was engaged in a training mission in RAF Cottesmore. In flight, an engine caught fire and crew attempted to make an emergency landing in an open field near the Airfield. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair while the crew fate remains unknown. Crew from the 4th OTU.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.52 Hampden I at RAF North Luffenham

Date & Time: Mar 22, 1942 at 2326 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

AT116

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Bombing

Survivors:

Site:

Handley Page H.P.52 Hampden

Schedule:

North Luffenham - North Luffenham

Location:

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Circumstances:

The airplane departed RAF North Luffenham on a mine laying operation. Returning to base, it clipped the wing of Short Stirling N3674, which had just landed and got bogged down. The Hampden was damaged beyond repair and the Stirling was repaired.
Crew:
Sgt D. J. Towler,
Sgt E. F. Penlington,
Sgt J. Burns,
Sgt W. Woodford.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.52 Hampden I at RAF North Luffenham: 3 killed

Date & Time: Mar 9, 1942 at 0149 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

AD842

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Bombing

Survivors:

Site: