Helensburgh | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The crew was engaged in a test flight. Take off procedure was attempted in frosty conditions from the Clyde River, off Helensburgh. During initial climb, the four engine aircraft stalled, crashed and sunk. Two crew members were rescued while the test pilot H. G. White was killed.

Crash of a Saro A.36 Lerwick in Faslane: 7 killed

Date & Time: Oct 21, 1941

Type of aircraft:

Saro A.36 Lerwick

Operator:

Registration:

L7248

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Calibration

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Helensburgh - Helensburgh

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

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Circumstances:

Shortly after take off from Helensburgh, while climbing, the right engine failed. The crew was unable to maintain a safe height on just one engine and the aircraft hit a hillside near Faslane, north of Helensburgh. All seven occupants, engaged in a calibration test flight, were killed.
Crew:
F/Lt John Collison Alexander, pilot,
P/O Charles Henry Mills, pilot and observer,
LAC William Sidney Emilio Gianella, air gunner,
LAC William Desmond John McLaughlin, radio operator,
AC2 Peter Beattie Hunter,
AC1 Raymond Theodor Moorcroft Bullocke,
Passenger:
Mr Wilfred Harry Such, civilian instrument repairer.
Source:
http://www.helensburgh-heritage.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=582:seven-died-in-faslane-seaplane-crash&catid=88:military&Itemid=462

Probable cause:

Eyewitnesses saw the starboard wing dip before the crash. The two engines, which were recovered from the wreckage and sent to Bristol for examination, were found to be fully serviceable. So it was assumed that flying control problems had been experienced. The Court of Inquiry into the accident concluded that Lerwicks were unstable, particularly on landing approach. It was further noted by the Air Investigating Board, together with the MAEE commanding officer, that the handling characteristics of the Lerwick had never been satisfactory when flying with one engine feathered.

Crash of a Saro A.36 Lerwick off Helensburgh

Date & Time: Oct 16, 1941

Type of aircraft:

Saro A.36 Lerwick

Operator:

Registration:

L7254

Flight Phase:

Taxiing

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Location:

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Pax fatalities:

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Circumstances:

While taxiing on the Bay of Helensburgh, the floatplane collided with rocks and was damaged beyond repair. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-1 Catalina on Mt Cruach na Seilcheig: 7 killed

Date & Time: Jul 15, 1941

Type of aircraft:

Consolidated PBY Catalina

Operator:

Registration:

AH533

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Helensburgh - Oban

Location:

Mt Cruach na Seilcheig (Isle of Jura)

Hebrides Islands

Country:

United Kingdom

Region:

Europe

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The floatplane was returning to Oban following an overhaul at Helensburgh. Approaching Oban, the crew encountered marginal weather conditions and decided to delay the landing and to complete a circuit south of the destination. While cruising in clouds, the airplane impacted the slope of Mt Cruach na Seilcheig located on the north side of the Isle of Jura. The wreckage was found the following day. A crew member was found alive while seven other occupants were killed.
Crew:
S/L Patrick Stuart Hutchinson, pilot, †
P/O Edward Ruxton Pinches, pilot, †
Sgt Edwin Cyril Graham, wireless operator, †
Cpl James Calder Kinniard, †
Cpl Tudor Simner-Jones, †
LAC Charles Arthur Kew, †
AC1 Ronald Fearnley, †
AC1 J. Kelly.

Probable cause:

Controlled flight into terrain.