Warton AFB | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The crew (one instructor and one pilot) was involved in a local training flight consisting of the pilot's proficiency check. After takeoff, while climbing to a height of 200 feet, the instructor reduced power on the left engine, feathered the propeller and raised the flaps. At this time, the airplane lost speed and height. The instructor took over the controls and attempted an emergency landing in a field past the runway end. The aircraft crash landed in a field and came to rest. Both occupants were unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

It was determined that the starboard propeller was found to be feathered. Later examination revealed no faults in either propeller feathering systems.

Crash of a Consolidated B-24H-20-CF Liberator in Freckleton: 61 killed

Date & Time: Aug 23, 1944 at 1047 LT

Type of aircraft:

Consolidated B-24 Liberator

Operator:

Registration:

42-50291

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Test

Survivors:

Site:

City

Schedule:

Warton - Warton

MSN:

722

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Circumstances:

The crew was performing a circular test flight at RAF Warton after the plane had been refurbished. Following an uneventful flight, the crew started the approach to runway 08 and received the authorization to land. At that time, weather conditions deteriorated with low clouds down to 120 meters above ground, heavy rain falls and winds gusting up to 25 knots. From a height of dozen feet, the aircraft went out of control, banked left and came with wings near vertical before crashing in a huge explosion in the center of the village of Freckleton. The aircraft hit several houses, a school and a cafe as well. All three crew members were killed and 58 others on the ground: 38 children and two teachers in the school, and 18 people in the cafe: seven US officers, four British officers and seven civilians. To date, this was considered as the worst air disaster in the world.
Crew:
1st Lt John A. Bloemendal, pilot,
T/Sgt James M. Parr, copilot,
Sgt Gordon W. Kinney, flight engineer.
More info on http://laituk.org/B-24 42-50291.htm

Probable cause:

The official report stated that the exact cause of the crash could not be determined. However, it was concluded that the pilot had not fully realized the danger the storm posed until underway in his final approach, by which time he had insufficient altitude and speed to maneuver, given the probable strength of wind and downdrafts that must have prevailed. A structural failure of the aircraft in the extreme conditions was not ruled out, although the complete destruction of the airframe had precluded any meaningful investigation. Noting that many of the pilots coming to the UK commonly believed that British storms were little more than showers, the report recommended that all US trained pilots should be emphatically warned of the dangers of British thunderstorms.

Crash of a Consolidated B-24H-10 Liberator in Brown Edge

Date & Time: Aug 15, 1944 at 1200 LT

Type of aircraft:

Consolidated B-24 Liberator

Operator:

Registration:

42-52625

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Warton – Cheddington

MSN:

1020

YOM:

1943

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Circumstances:

The aircraft was on its way from RAF Warton to RAF Cheddington following modification for night leaflet dropping operations. After take off from Warton, the crew could not raise the undercarriage. While attempting to resolve this problem, the aircraft started to bank to the left and lost height. The pilot stated that he assumed both problems to be associated and when he recovered the aircraft to level flight, he headed back to Warton. Shortly before landing, the flight engineer reported he had resolved the undercarriage trouble and the gear was raised so the crew set course bound for RAF Cheddington. After the undercarriage had been raised, the pilot noticed that the aircraft was still drifting to the left. Some time later, the aircraft was seen circling over the Biddulph area at low level and shortly afterwards lost height and struck a tree causing the number 3 engine to burst into flames. The aircraft crashed into a field not far away where it slewed though a 180 turn. Three crew members were injured while three others were unhurt.
Crew (406th BG):
2nd Lt Tommie F. Leftwich, pilot,
2nd Lt John A. Majdick, copilot,
2nd Lt Woodrow Klauber, navigator,
Sgt Ralph H. Sandmeyer, radio operator,
Sgt David P. Christie, flight engineer.
Passenger:
Cpl Grace M. Sharkey.
Source & photos:
http://www.peakdistrictaircrashes.co.uk/pages/peakdistrict/peakdistrict42-52625.htm

Crash of a Noorduyn UC-64A Norseman in RAF Warton

Date & Time: Aug 14, 1944 at 1200 LT

Type of aircraft:

Noorduyn Norseman

Operator:

Registration:

43-5340

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Liverpool - Warton

MSN:

331

YOM:

1944

Location:

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Circumstances:

On landing, the single engine aircraft went out of control, veered off runway and collided with a USAF parked P-47. Both aircraft were destroyed in the collision and all eight occupants on board the Norseman were injured. At the time of the accident, there was a cross wind up to 7 knots.