Gironde | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The airplane departed RAF Saint Eval, on an operation to Bordeaux. While approaching the target area at night, it was shot down by the German Flak and crashed near Jalle Noire, north of Bordeaux, on the west bank of the River Garonne. All four crew members were killed.
Crew:
P/O John Herman Durham Tilson, pilot,
Sgt Joseph Creswell Wild, obsever,
Sgt William Barrington Miflin, wireless operator,
Sgt Robert Alfred Bradshaw, air gunner.

Probable cause:

Shot down by the German Flak.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.52 Hampden I in Ambarès-et-Lagrave: 4 killed

Date & Time: Oct 16, 1940 at 2300 LT

Type of aircraft:

Handley Page H.P.52 Hampden

Operator:

Registration:

L4129

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Bombing

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Scampton – Scampton

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The airplane departed RAF Scampton at 1900LT on a mine laying mission off Bordeaux. Approaching the target, it was shot down by the German Flak and crashed in Ambarès-et-Lagrave, about 11 km northeast of Bordeaux. All four crew members were killed.
Crew:
Sgt Dennis Sydney Imber, pilot,
Sgt Robert Frederick Rose, observer,
Sgt Frank Corbett, wireless operator and air gunner,
Sgt Kenneth Charles Friend, air gunner.

Probable cause:

Shot down by the German Flak.

Crash of a Lioré-et-Olivier LeO 451 in Bordeaux: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jun 19, 1940 at 1730 LT

Type of aircraft:

Lioré-et-Olivier LeO 45 (451-459)

Operator:

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Illegal (smuggling)

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

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The crew refused to be interned and wanted to continue to fight. As four LeO 45 (n°157, 169, 181 & 190) were parked at Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport, the crew stole one of them to reach the front line. One of the crew took his bicycle with him but as it was not properly stored in the cabin, it shifted rearward upon liftoff, causing the elevator system to be jammed. The pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed in a wooded area just past the runway end, bursting into flames. All four crew members were killed.
Crew:
Sgt Paul Michel Jean-Louis André, pilot,
Adj Jean Baptiste Pierre Lucien Chavy, pilot,
Sgt Jean Georges René Cavalié, mechanic.
Passenger:
Asp François Joseph Jean Jacques Ducreuzet.

Probable cause:

Elevator control jammed.

Crash of a Caudron C.635M Simoun in Bordeaux: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 10, 1940 at 1500 LT

Type of aircraft:

Caudron C.630/C.635 Simoun

Operator:

Registration:

496

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Bordeaux - Bordeaux

MSN:

496

YOM:

1938

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The pilot was completing a local solo training flight out from Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport. Following a straight-in approach, the pilot initiated a go around procedure when the airplane stalled, contacted trees and crashed in a wooded area located in Saint-Jean-d'Illac, some two km west of the airfield. The pilot was killed.
Crew:
S/Lt Georges Marie Joseph Lapierre, pilot.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.84 Dragon in Fontet: 6 killed

Date & Time: Nov 3, 1938

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.84 Dragon

Operator:

Albert Garric

Registration:

F-AMTM

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Buc - Agen

MSN:

6040

YOM:

1933

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The twin engine aircraft departed Buc Airfield in Seine-et-Oise bound for Agen. After passing east of Bordeaux, the pilot started the descent to Agen when then airplane entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in a field located in Fontet. All six occupants were killed.
Crew:
Albert Garric, pilot.
Passengers:
Mrs. Garric,
Max Garric,
Mary Garric,
Brigitte Fortune,
Jean Castaing.

Crash of a Bloch MB.210 in Pessac

Date & Time: Jul 7, 1938 at 1230 LT

Type of aircraft:

Bloch MB.210

Operator:

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Bordeaux - Bordeaux

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The crew was performing a local training sortie our from Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport. Shortly after takeoff, while climbing, the pilot encountered engine problems. He attempted an emergency landing in a field located in Pessac, east of the airport. Upon touchdown, the aircraft collided with trees and was damaged beyond repair. All five crew were injured, one seriously.
Crew:
Lt Huet, pilot,
Sgt Girardin,
Sgt Dupuch,
Sgt Polassi,
Adj/C Arnaud.

Probable cause:

Engine failure after takeoff.

Crash of an aircraft near Bordeaux

Date & Time: Mar 23, 1919

Type of aircraft:

Unknown

Operator:

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

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In flight, the crew encountered engine problems and elected to make an emergency landing in an open field near Bordeaux. While both occupants were slightly injured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.