Cottesmore AFB | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The pilot departed RAF Cottesmore on a solo training flight. Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, one of the engine failed. The pilot made an emergency landing in an open field located about three km from the airport. The pilot was uninjured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Crew:
Sgt Ford Rowney.

Probable cause:

Engine failure after takeoff.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson I near Gilling West: 5 killed

Date & Time: Oct 16, 1940 at 1515 LT

Type of aircraft:

Avro 652 Anson

Operator:

Registration:

L7924

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Cottesmore - Carlisle

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The crew was performing a training flight from Cottesmore to Carlisle. Just after starting the descent in poor visibility, the twin engine aircraft hit a tree and crashed onto a hill side located near Gilling West, northeast of Richmond. All five crew members were killed.
Crew (14th OTU):
Sgt Sidney John Howard, pilot,
Sgt Arthur Hurst, pilot,
Sgt Stanley Robert Sumner, pilot,
Sgt Thomas Huntley Todd, wireless operator,
Sgt Cyril Murray, wireless operator and air gunner.

Probable cause:

Premature descent in poor visibility, resulting in a controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.52 Hampden I near Barningham

Date & Time: Oct 5, 1940 at 2020 LT

Type of aircraft:

Handley Page H.P.52 Hampden

Operator:

Registration:

P2072

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Schedule:

Cottesmore - Cottesmore

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The crew departed RAF Cottesmore on a night training flight. En route, he encountered poor visibility en became lost. The pilot descended through clouds in an attempt to locate his position when the aircraft struck the ground and crashed at How Tallon, about 5 km southwest of Barningham. All four crew members were rescued, among them two were injured.
Crew:
P/O Derrick John Fielder, pilot,
Sgt Andrew Ogilvie Hawes, pilot,
Sgt A. C. White, wireless operator and air gunner,
Sgt Reginald Wilfred Gray, wireless operator and air gunner.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.52 Hampden I at RAF Cottesmore: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 13, 1940

Type of aircraft:

Handley Page H.P.52 Hampden

Operator:

Registration:

P4339

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Cottesmore - Cottesmore

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Shortly after takeoff, while climbing to a height of 20 feet, the airplane collided with another RAF Hampden registered L4138. It went out of control and crashed. Two crew members were killed and two others were injured. The second aircraft landed safely.
Crew:
P/O George Andrew Atkinson, pilot, †
Sgt Sydney John Golding, observer, †
Sgt Hutchinson,
P/O D. A. Helsby.

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

Date & Time: Feb 24, 1940

Type of aircraft:

Handley Page H.P.52 Hampden

Operator:

Registration:

P1279

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Cottesmore - Cottesmore

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The undercarriage collapsed on landing at RAF Cottesmore. The pilot was uninjured and the airplane was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Undercarriage collapsed on landing.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.52 Hampden I at RAF Cottesmore: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 1, 1940

Type of aircraft:

Handley Page H.P.52 Hampden

Operator:

Registration:

L4205

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Cottesmore - Cottesmore

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The pilot was completing a local solo training flight at RAF Cottesmore. The airplane overshot, stalled and crashed, killing the pilot.
Crew:
P/O E. A. C. Hill, pilot.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.52 Hampden I in Widmer End: 4 killed

Date & Time: Nov 30, 1939 at 1157 LT

Type of aircraft:

Handley Page H.P.52 Hampden

Operator:

Registration:

L4203

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Cottesmore – Heston

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While on a training flight from RAF Cottesmore to Heston, the pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed in Widmer End. All four crew members were killed.
Crew:
P/O John Musgrave, pilot,
S/L Nigel Hope, observer,
AC2 Daniel O’ Regan, wireless operator and air gunner,
Sgt Lindsay Thom, wireless operator and air gunner.