Inverness-shire

The aircraft and its commander were concluding the fifth sector of the day when, shortly after starting a descent for Inverness, the aircraft’s rate of descent became unsteady and it started to turn left. The available evidence indicated that the aircraft struck the ground in a steep, left, spiral dive. The extreme fragmentation of the wreckage suggested a high impact speed, probably in the region of 350 kt. Major airframe and powerplant failures were discounted but otherwise, there was insufficient evidence to draw firm conclusions about the reasons for the sudden deviation from controlled flight and secondly, the absence of any evidence consistent with an attempt to recover from the dive. Two safety recommendations made recently to the EASA concerning flight recorders were re-iterated.

The aircraft took off at 2055 hrs and the ATC stated that the take-off appeared to be normal. However, three witnesses standing outside the terminal buildings state that the aircraft appeared to maintain an unusually level flight path, about 100 feet, until they lost sight of it behind the buildings. Whichever of these take-off profiles was followed, the aircraft climbed ahead to a position short of Inverness town, and returned on an approximately reciprocal track to intercept and take up the 175° radial from the VOR beacon on the airfield. Approximately 4 minutes after takeoff, the aircraft was seen flying, apparently level, in a southerly direction at a height which was unspecified but low enough to be below the main cloud base. Less than a minute later a 'dying orange glow' was seen in the area of the accident site. A search was commenced shortly afterwards but due to uncertainty about the aircraft's position it was not until early on the morning of 21 November, when the weather cleared, that the wreckage of the aircraft was found. The aircraft had flown into the side of a hill at 1,600 feet amsl and disintegrated on impact. There were only small areas of locally contained fire. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

The aircraft was engaged in a three hour routine training flight out from RAF Kinloss. Shortly after takeoff, weather conditions deteriorated with low clouds, fog, turbulences and icing conditions. While cruising at low height, the airplane struck the top of a hill at Creag Bhan. The aircraft disintegrated and all 13 occupants were killed.
Crew:
S/Ldr Michael Charles McCallum, pilot,
F/O Terence Charles Swinney, copilot,
F/O David John Evans, copilot,
F/Lt Bruce George Wishart Mackie, navigator,
F/O Ralph Joseph Fonseca, navigator,
Sgt Malcolm Arthur Jones, air engineer,
F/O John Verner Young, air electronics officer,
F/Sgt David John Harris, air electronics operator,
Sgt Michael Barry Bowen, air electronics operator,
Sgt Charles Peter Matthews, air electronics operator,
Sgt Kenneth Browne Hurry, air signaller.
Passengers:
S/Ldr Harry Harvey, air electronics officer,
P/O Iain Campbell MacLean.

Few minutes after takeoff from RAF Kinloss, en route to Belfast, the crew informed ATC that the engin number three oversped and caught fire. Shortly later, the engine detached and the crew was forced to shut down the engine number four. In such conditions, the crew decided to divert to Inverness Airport but out of control, the airplane lost height and crashed in a field located in Culloden Moor, about 4 miles southwest of the airport. People taking part to an open air party were able to evacuate all five crew members who were injured. The aircraft was destroyed.
Crew:
F/Lt J. Gladstone, pilot,
F/O Jim Lee, copilot,
John Mepham, flight engineer,
Jamie Hamilton,
John R. Hudson.

The pilot was completing a local training sortie at RAF Dalcross, performing touch and goes. On final, while making a last steep turn to join the approach path, the twin engine aircraft stalled and crashed in a field. The pilot was killed and the aircraft was destroyed.
Crew:
P/O George Nicolson.

The pilot, sole on board, was completing a local training sortie in RAF Dalcross. On final approach, during the last segment, the twin engine aircraft stalled and hit the runway surface. Upon impact, the undercarriage were sheared off and the aircraft slid on its belly for several yards before coming to rest. The pilot was unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

The pilot, sole on board, was performing a local training sortie at Inverness (RAF Dalcross) Airport. During a third approach procedure, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and plunged into the Moray Firth, few hundred yards off shore. The aircraft was lost and the pilot was killed.
Crew:
P/O John Alfred Rogers.

Shortly after takeoff from RAF Dalcross, while in initial climb, the pilot lost control of the aircraft that crashed into the Moray Firth, few hundred yards off shore. The aircraft sank and the pilot was killed. He was engaged in a local training sortie.

The crew was performing a local training sortie. After touchdown, the pilot-in-command decided to make a go around, increased engine power and pull the control column. Just after liftoff, the twin engine aircraft stalled and crashed, slid for several yards, went through a perimeter fence and came to rest. While both pilots were unhurt, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

On final approach to Inverness Airport, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed in a field located few hundred yards short of runway threshold. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.