Cranfield

Operator:

Registration:

L6750

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Cranfield - Cranfield

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

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Pax on board:

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Circumstances:

The pilot was completing a local solo training flight at RAF Cranfield. While circling in the vicinity of the airbase, one of the engine caught fire. The pilot attempted an emergency landing when the airplane crash landed, bursting into flames. The pilot was uninjured and the airplane was destroyed by fire.
Crew:
F/Sgt Knowles, pilot.

Probable cause:

One of the engine caught fire in flight.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim IF in Steppingley: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 5, 1941

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N6172

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Cranfield - Cranfield

MSN:

9272

YOM:

1939

Location:

Country:

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Circumstances:

The pilot departed RAF Cranfield on a night solo training flight. On approach to the airbase, the artificial horizon failed. The pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed in Beckering Park, about 9 km southeast of the airfield. The pilot was killed.
Crew:
Sgt Douglas Walter Raley, pilot.

Probable cause:

Loss of control following the failure of the artificial horizon at night .

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim IF in Wakerley: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 25, 1941

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

L6761

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Douglas A-20 Havoc/DB-7 Boston

Schedule:

Cranfield - Cranfield

Location:

Country:

Region:

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Pax on board:

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Circumstances:

The crew departed RAF Cranfield on a night training exercise. For unknown reasons, the airplane crashed in a pasture located a mile southeast of Wakerley. Both crew members were killed.
Crew:
Sgt Colin Tremaine Martyn-Johns, pilot,
Sgt Benjamin Wright, radio operator.

Crash of a Douglas A-20A Havoc I at RAF Cranfield

Date & Time: Nov 21, 1941

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

BT460

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Cranfield - Cranfield

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The pilot was completing a local solo training exercise at RAF Cranfield. For unknown reasons, the airplane belly landed and was damaged beyond repair. The pilot escaped uninjured.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim I at RAF Cranfield: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 17, 1941 at 2340 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

L1353

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Cranfield - Cranfield

MSN:

8636

YOM:

1938

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

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Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew departed RAF Cranfield on a night training exercise. Shortly after takeoff, the airplane encountered difficulties to gain height, struck a tree and crashed. Both crew members were killed.
Crew:
Sgt Mark Radford Cuke, pilot,
Sgt John James Green, observer.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim IF at RAF Cranfield: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 7, 1941 at 1930 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

L6748

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Cranfield - Cranfield

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

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Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

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Circumstances:

The pilot was completing a local solo training flight at RAF Cranfield. On final approach, the airplane impacted the ground and crashed near the airfield. The pilot was killed.
Crew:
P/O Harold Rolin Baker, pilot.

Probable cause:

Failure of the pilot to consult his altimeter during the approach procedure, causing the airplane to descend too low and to impact the ground.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim IV in Sherington: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 13, 1941 at 2120 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

R3617

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Cranfield - Cranfield

Location:

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Other fatalities:

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Circumstances:

The pilot departed RAF Cranfield on a solo training flight. The airplane was shot down by a JU.88 and crashed in Sherington. The pilot was killed.
Crew:
F/Sgt Francis Filmer, pilot.

Probable cause:

Shot down by a German fighter.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim IVF at RAF Cranfield: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 12, 1941 at 0345 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

L4849

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Cranfield - Cranfield

MSN:

8864

YOM:

1939

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The pilot departed RAF Cranfield on a local solo training flight. On final approach, he realized he forgot to lower the landing gear and decided to initiate a go around procedure. It is believed that he pulled the aircraft up too steeply, causing the airplane to stall and to crash. The airplane was destroyed and the pilot was killed.
Crew:
Sgt George Platon Phitidis, pilot.

Probable cause:

Pilot error on final approach.

Crash of an Airspeed AS.10 Oxford I in Haversham: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 17, 1941 at 2220 LT

Type of aircraft:

Airspeed AS.10 Oxford

Operator:

Registration:

N4572

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site: