Crash of a Consolidated LB-30 Liberator in Rochefort: 28 killed

Date & Time: Dec 3, 1945 at 1330 LT
Operator:
Registration:
KH125
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
23
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
28
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a flight from India to RAF Oakington, near Manchester, on behalf of the Air Transport Command (ATC). While cruising in poor weather conditions, the aircraft went out of control, dove into the ground and crashed near Rochefort, killing all 28 occupants.
Crew:
F/lt L. J. Slack,
F/Lt E. W. Beech,
F/Lt A. J. Balsom,
W/O S. J. Gillingham,
F/O H. Rowe.
Passengers:
LAC C. C. Baker,
LAC W. R. Birkett,
LAC B. F. Blackbourn,
Sgt H. Bolton,
Bsm T. G. Burch,
Sgt C. Donaldson,
F/Lt W. G. Gibson,
Sgt L. Hainsworth,
Cdr J. G. Halliday,
Bom H. D. Henderson,
Pvt C. J. John,
Pvt A. Mitchell,
Gun R. W. Norton,
Pvt F. J. Parkin,
Gun S. W. Pearson,
Pvt I. G. Richards,
Gun D. Ross,
Gun C. C. Thompson,
Bom W. E. Turner,
LAC W. Vincent,
Pvt D. West,
Gun G. Whitehead,
Cpl E. S. Winslade.
Probable cause:
The loss of control occurred while the aircraft was flying in a low pressure area with thunderstorm activity and severe turbulence. It is understood that the aircraft suffered of turbulence, maybe was hit by lightning and lost several pieces on the left wing before the control was lost.

Crash of a Potez 25.A2 in La Rémigeasse

Date & Time: Jan 17, 1940 at 0910 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
1375
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Rochefort - Rochefort
MSN:
1375
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew departed Rochefort at 0745LT on a gunnery exercice over the island of Oléron. En route, the engine failed following the rupture of a connecting rod. The crew attempted an emergency landing when the airplane struck vineyard plans and crashed, bursting into flames. Both occupants were injured and the airplane was destroyed by a post crash fire.
Crew:
Sgt/C Joseph Menard, pilot,
Cpl Maurice Cholet, mechanic.
Probable cause:
Engine failure in flight caused by a rupture of a connecting rod.

Crash of a Potez 25.A2 in Rochefort

Date & Time: Jan 13, 1940
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
2022
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Châteauroux – Rochefort
MSN:
2022
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Twelve Potez 25 operated by the Centre d’Instruction de Bombardement (CIB) from Chateauroux took off from their base to reach the Oleron firing range. They flew in two formations of six. At Rochefort Airport, several aircraft from the 2nd formation landed at the same time. Upon landing, the Potez 25 registered 2175 and flown by Sgt Chanal banked very slightly right, but that was enough to create a slipstream that hit the Potez 25 registered 2022, that landed on its left wheel. It rolled for few dozen metres before coming to rest upside down. Both crew members evacuated safely.
Crew:
Sgt Maurice Pelastaing, pilot,
Sgt Roger Borrel, mechanic.

Crash of a Lioré-et-Olivier LeO 20 in Digny

Date & Time: Nov 5, 1932 at 1820 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Istres – Rochefort – Chartres
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew departed Istres on a flight to Chartres with an intermediate stop in Rochefort. While approaching Chartres from the northwest at night, the crew encountered poor visibility due to foggy conditions. While attempting an emergency landing, the airplane crashed in an open field located in Digny, some 30 km northwest of Chartres. All four crew members escaped with minor injuries and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Crew:
Lt Gaillard,
Sgt/C Chaume,
Sgt/C Vassieu,
Adj/C Boulanger.