Crash of a Vickers 619 Wellington X in RAF Hullavington: 4 killed

Date & Time: Oct 15, 1952
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
RP319
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Hullavington - Hullavington
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a local training sortie at RAF Hullavington. Shortly after takeoff, while climbing in freezing fog conditions, the airplane encountered difficulties to gain height, hit the corner of a hangar and crashed in flames. All four crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the aircraft stalled during initial climb due to an excessive accumulation of frost on all surfaces. It is believed that the crew did not prepare the flight properly and failed to remove the contaminants prior to take off. Accumulation of frost on wings, fuselage and stabilizers increased weight, reduced lift and modified the aerodynamic properties.

Crash of a Vickers 607 Valetta C.1 in RAF Lyneham: 10 killed

Date & Time: Jul 12, 1951
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VW194
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Luqa - Lyneham - Dishforth
MSN:
350
YOM:
11
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
The aircraft was completing a flight from Luqa to RAF Dishforth with an intermediate stop in RAF Lyneham on behalf of the 242nd OCU. Shortly after takeoff, while climbing, the crew informed ground about an engine failure and elected to return for a safe landing when the aircraft stalled and crashed in a field. The airplane was destroyed and all ten occupants were killed, among them seven cadets.
Probable cause:
It was determined that an engine failed after takeoff and the crew shut down the wrong engine and feathered the wrong propeller. Due to loss of power, the aircraft stalled and crashed.

Crash of a Vickers 619 Wellington X in RAF Hullavington: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 29, 1951
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
RP382
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Hullavington - Hullavington
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a local training sortie at RAF Hullavington. On final approach by night and in poor weather conditions, the aircraft hit the ground 3 miles short of runway and crashed. Two crew members were killed while the third occupant was seriously injured. It was reported that the pilot in command was conducting the approach under visual flight rules and that the loss of control occurred while the crew was completing the approach briefing.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson T.21 in RAF Hullavington

Date & Time: Jan 1, 1951
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VS580
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Hullavington - Hullavington
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from RAF Hullavington, while in initial climb, the aircraft stalled and crash landed in a field. Both crew members were unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. It was reported that both engines lost power shortly after rotation for unknown reason. The crew was engaged in a local training mission.
Probable cause:
Loss of engine power after rotation.

Crash of a Vickers 619 Wellington X in RAF Hullavington: 4 killed

Date & Time: Mar 29, 1950
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
LN819
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Hullavington - Hullavington
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a local training sortie in RAF Hullavington. Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb by night, the pilot in command informed ground that an engine failed and completed a turn to join the circuit when control was lost. The aircraft dove into the ground and crashed in a field. All four crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson XI in RAF Colerne

Date & Time: Mar 15, 1950
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PH620
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Colerne - Colerne
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a local training sortie in RAF Colerne. On final approach, an engine failed. The aircraft stalled and crashed in a field short of runway threshold. All three crew members were injured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.67 Hastings C.1 in Beacon Hill: 3 killed

Date & Time: Sep 26, 1949
Operator:
Registration:
TG499
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
3
YOM:
1948
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
While cruising at an altitude of 4,000 feet during a training sortie, the pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed in Beacon Hill, Wiltshire. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and all three crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control in flight due to the failure of the under-slung belly pannier that was torn off and hit tail.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-1-DK Dakota C.4 in RAF Netheravon

Date & Time: Sep 13, 1949
Operator:
Registration:
KJ865
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Netheravon - Netheravon
MSN:
14359/25804
YOM:
1944
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a local training sortie, towing a glider. Just after liftoff, while in initial climb, the throttles slipped back for undetermined reason. The aircraft stalled, crashed on the runway and came to rest. While both pilots were unhurt, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Vickers 619 Wellington X in RAF Hullavington

Date & Time: Jul 13, 1949
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PG265
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On landing, the aircraft went out of control, lost its undercarriage and came to rest. There were no injuries but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of an Avro 691 Lancastrian III in Conholt: 7 killed

Date & Time: Nov 22, 1948 at 1708 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
G-AHJW
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Wünsdorf – Tarrant Rushton
MSN:
RSLB127336
YOM:
1946
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The aircraft was ferried to RAF Tarrant Rushton for maintenance. While descending from the northeast, the crew encountered poor weather conditions. In low visibility, the pilot started the approach when the four engine aircraft hit tree tops and crashed in flames on a hilly terrain located in Conholt, about 38 miles northeast of RAF Tarrant Rushton. A crew member was seriously injured while seven other occupants were killed. It was determined that the aircraft was off course at the time of the accident.
Probable cause:
Investigations were unable to determine with certainty the reason for the deviation from. Nevertheless, it may be possible that the aircraft was being 'homed' on the Netheravon Beacon.