Avro 683 Lancaster

Operator:

Registration:

KB893

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Test

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Summerside - Summerside

MSN:

37194

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was performing a local test flight when, upon landing, the aircraft bounced after attempting an overshoot. The pilot-in-command decided to attempt a go around and raised the undercarriage when the aircraft stalled and crashed in flames. Eight crew members were injured while four others were killed.
Those killed were:
F/L Kenneth Edward Lussier,
F/L Walter James Burnett,
F/O Kenneth Roland Carter,
Cpl Joseph Bernard Lachaine.

Crash of an Avro 683 Lancaster GR.3 in RAF Saint Eval

Date & Time: Mar 28, 1952

Type of aircraft:

Landing (descent or approach)

Operator:

Registration:

SW286

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Gibraltar - Saint Eval

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The four engine aircraft landed long. After touchdown, the pilot-in-command increased engine power and attempted to go around but eventually decided to raise the landing gear. The airplane skidded on runway, overran and came to rest in a field. All 11 occupants were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Wrong approach configuration on part of the flying crew who neglected several published approach procedures. Responsibilities were shared with the controller at RAF St Eval Tower who failed to transmit suitable informations regarding wind direction and speed.

Crash of an Avro 683 Lancaster GR.3 into the Mediterranean Sea: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 23, 1952

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

RF210

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Luqa - Luqa

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The aircraft was engaged in an exercice in the Mediterranean Sea, carrying six crew members and one passenger (a photographer) on behalf of the 203rd Squadron. While simulating an aerial attack of a submarine, the pilot-in-command completed a last turn to reach the target when the right wing broke off. Out of control, the airplane crashed into the sea. Five crew members were rescued while a sixth and the passenger were killed.

Probable cause:

It is believed that the right wing failed following a structural issue.

Crash of an Avro 683 Lancaster GR.3 off Tripoli: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 15, 1951

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

RF306

Flight Phase:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Luqa - Luqa

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was completing a maritime patrol flight over the Mediterranean Sea out from RAF Luqa. While flying at a very low height over the sea off the Libyan coast, the pilot realized the situation and decided to increase his altitude. While pulling on the control column, the base of the empennage hit the water surface, causing the aircraft to crash into the sea few miles off Tripoli. A crew member was killed while five others were rescued. The aircraft was lost.

Crash of an Avro 683 Lancaster on the Mt Beinn Eighe: 8 killed

Date & Time: Mar 14, 1951 at 0225 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

TX264

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Kinloss - Kinloss

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The aircraft left RAF Kinloss at 1800LT on March 13 for a night navigation training exercise. Some 6 1/2 hours after leaving Kinloss, the crew reported that they were approximately 60 miles to the North of Cape Wrath. After this point there was no further radio contact with aircraft, as by the following morning the aircraft had failed to return to base or land at another airfield a search was initiated. This was carried out by numerous aircraft from airfields in Scotland but there were no sightings. On the 17th March as report was received that a red flash had been seen in the Torridon area around the time the aircraft disappeared. An aerial search of the Torridon mountains was carried out and the burnt out wreckage of air aircraft was spotted high on the northern side of Beinn Eighe at the top of the cliffs of the Triple Buttress. Ground units set out to attempt to reach the site to confirm that is was the missing Lancaster but could not reach the site due to deep lying snow and further poor weather, together with a lack of suitable equipment. It was the end of March before members of the RAF Mountain Rescue Team from Kinloss were able to reach the wreck to begin the task of recovering the bodies of the crew. The recovery of the last missing airmen was not carried out until August 1951 when enough snow had melted to uncover his body.
Crew (120th Squadron):
Fl/Lt Harry Smith Reid, pilot,
Sgt Ralph Clucas, copilot,
Sgt Robert Strong, navigator,
Sgt Peter Tennison, signaller,
Sgt James Naismith, signaller,
Sgt Wilfred D. Beck, signaller,
Sgt James W. Bell, signaller,
Sgt George Farquhar, signaller.
Source and photo:
http://www.peakdistrictaircrashes.co.uk/crash_sites/scotland/avro-lancaster-tx264-beinn-eighe/

Crash of an Avro 683 Lancaster in Alert AFB: 9 killed

Date & Time: Jul 31, 1950 at 1300 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

KB965

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Supply

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

37266

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew from the 405th Squadron Greenwood was engaged in a supply mission to weather scientists based in Alert, NT. While flying at low height to drop the cargo, the aircraft went out of control and crashed in a huge explosion about 500 meters south of the complex. The aircraft was destroyed and all nine occupants were killed.
Crew:
F/O J. R. G. Dube,
W/C D. T. French,
F/L L. M. Maclean,
F/O T. D. Martin,
F/O J. E. McCutcheon,
LAC R. L. Sprange,
F/L F. L. Swinton.
Passengers:
Dr. D. W. Kirk,
Charles J. Hubbard from the US Weather Bureau.

Probable cause:

It was determined that the parachute for resupplies being airdropped became entangled on the tail and the elevators of the aircraft. In such conditions, control was lost and the airplane crashed.

Crash of an Avro 683 Lancaster GR.3 in RAF Saint Eval

Date & Time: Jan 12, 1950

Type of aircraft:

Landing (descent or approach)

Operator:

Registration:

SW373

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Saint Eval - Saint Eval

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

After touchdown, the crew encountered problem to decelerate. The pilot in command decided to raise the undercarriage to stop more efficiently. The aircraft sank on its belly and slid for several yards before coming to rest. All five crew members were unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of an Avro 683 Lancaster GR.3 in RAF Kinloss: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jan 12, 1950

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

SW363

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Kinloss - Kinloss

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

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.

Probable cause:

The exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty. However, it was reported by the crew at the end of the preceding flight that it smelled fuel in the cabin. Also, it was stated that the aircraft was already on fire on takeoff. The assumption that a spark occurred during takeoff and created a fire when contacting with fuel vapors was not ruled out.

Crash of an Avro 683 Lancaster B.1 off Selsey: 7 killed

Date & Time: Nov 3, 1949

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

TW908

Flight Phase:

Flight Type: