Country
code

Norfolk

Crash of a Cessna 421C Golden Eagle III in Northrepps

Date & Time: Sep 30, 2005 at 1817 LT
Registration:
N421CA
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
421C-0153
YOM:
1976
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2475
Captain / Total hours on type:
255.00
Circumstances:
Northrepps Airfield has a single grass runway, orientated 18/36, and 1617 ft (493 m) long, with a down slope of 1.8% on Runway 18. On the day of the accident, the short grass was wet and an aftercast indicated that the wind at Northrepps was from approximately 210º at 10 to 13 kt. The pilot first flew an approach to Runway 18 and touched down close to the threshold; he subsequently reported that, looking at the slope of the runway ahead of him, he decided to go around and re‑position for a landing on Runway 36, to take advantage of the up-slope on that runway. The pilot stated that, during the approach to Runway 18, he had assessed that the braking effect of the wind would be insignificant in comparison to the braking effect that would be afforded by the uphill slope when landing on Runway 36. The pilot recalled seeing a “shortened” and “non‑standard” windsock mounted on a caravan adjacent to the Runway 18 threshold, but he did not believe that it could be relied upon for an accurate wind strength determination. He did not recall having seen the airfield’s other, larger, windsock. The approach for a short field landing on Runway 36 was normal and the pilot closed the throttles just before the threshold. The aircraft touched down close to the threshold, and the pilot immediately retracted the flaps. The pilot reported that he had lost two thirds of his touchdown speed by about the mid-point of the runway, and that the braking was within his expectations. He subsequently stated that he “seemed to get to a point… when I realised that I was effectively getting no braking at all from the wheels and the uphill slope had petered away”; he then experienced a sensation which he described as being similar to aquaplaning, with all braking authority seemingly lost. The aircraft continued along the runway, crossed the grassed overshoot area, ran over an earth bank beyond the end of the runway and came to rest on a public road just north of this bank. The pilot shut the aircraft down and all three occupants vacated the aircraft without difficulty.
Probable cause:
Prior to the flight, the pilot did not use the aircraft flight manual to calculate his landing performance. Given the wind and the surface conditions at Northrepps at the time of the intended operation, performance calculations showed that a landing could only be made safely if both the precise landing parameters and adequate braking were achieved. There was no evidence regarding the point of touchdown or the associated speed; it is therefore not possible to say with any certainty whether the failure to stop was the result of an imperfectly executed landing or the lack of braking effect on the short, wet grass.
Final Report:

Crash of a Dassault Falcon 20C in Norwich

Date & Time: Dec 12, 1973 at 1538 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
LN-FOE
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Norwich - Göteborg
MSN:
62
YOM:
1967
Location:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
5939
Captain / Total hours on type:
1902.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
5814
Copilot / Total hours on type:
864
Aircraft flight hours:
4779
Circumstances:
The Dassault Falcon 20C jet aircraft was on charter to fly passengers from Norwich, U.K. to Gothenburg, Sweden, and during the morning it made an uneventful positioning flight from Oslo, Norway, to Norwich where it landed at 12:28 hrs. The six passengers boarded the aircraft at about 15:20 hrs and the aircraft received clearance from Norwich Tower to taxi out for take-off on runway 28. While taxying the crew received an airways clearance and the aircraft was lined up on the runway without delay. The co-pilot, a qualified commander on this type of aircraft, was in the left hand pilot's seat, and the aircraft commander in the right hand seat. No bird flocks were seen by either of the pilots whilst taxying to the active runway. The aircraft took-off at 15:37 hrs piloted from the left hand seat. On becoming airborne, at a position a little over halfway down the runway, the crew saw a flock of birds ahead flying just above the ground. The pilot increased slightly the aircraft's climb attitude and the flock passed underneath. A few seconds later a second flock was seen at a higher level and directly in the aircraft's flight path. The pilot lowered the aircraft nose and the flock passed overhead. On re-establishing the climb and at a height of between 100 and 200 feet a third flock was seen, again directly ahead. This flock extended from ground level to well above the aircraft and there was no possible way for the pilot to avoid it; almost immediately the crew heard the sound of multiple bird strikes on the aircraft, the commander described the noise as 'like a machine gun'. The pilot maintained the aircraft in the climb attitude and the commander, who was checking the aircraft's instruments, noticed the RPM on both engines running down very fast, he also observed the engine pressure ratio (EPR), and exhaust gas temperature (EGT) instrument readings dropping. The pilot heard a bang from the engines, followed by the sound of the engines running down in a rough and abnormal manner. He quickly asked if both engines had failed. This was confirmed by the commander who tried to move the thrust levers without any response from the engines. By this time the aircraft was at a height of approximately 300 feet with the landing gear still down, the crew not having had time to select it up because of their preoccupation with avoiding the bird flocks. The speed, which had been about 150 knots prior to the bird strikes, had dropped to 135 knots. The control column was eased forward to maintain speed and the aircraft began to lose height. The pilot saw a field ahead and slightly left of the aircraft which he considered the best forced landing area. On receiving confirmation of his decision from the commander, the pilot made a turn to the left and lined up the aircraft for an approach to the selected field. Visibility was not good because of approaching darkness but the crew were able to see some trees at the approach end of the field. These were avoided and a positive touch down made; the stall warning sounded just before the aircraft hit the ground. Battery and fuel switches were turned off either just before or after ground impact and an attempt was made to close the thrust levers, but these would not move. All three landing gear legs were torn off shortly after ground impact and the aircraft finally came to rest on the belly of the fuselage. The commander, although partially blinded by blood from cuts on his head, made his way to the main cabin door, which he opened, and all the occupants were evacuated.
Probable cause:
The accident was caused by failure of both engines because of mechanical damage due to bird ingestion. The following factors were reported:
- Prior to takeoff no concentration of birds was seen on the airport by the aircraft crew or by ATC personnel in the tower,
- A large concentration of seagulls was either on the active runway or was arriving over the airport at the time of takeoff,
- The aircraft suffered multiple bird strikes immediately after takeoff and both engines failed due to bird ingestion,
- The crew made a successful forced landing in a field near the end of the runway and are to be commanded for the high degree of professional airmanship displayed,
- During the forced landing the aircraft was substantially damaged but the passengers did not suffer any appreciable injuries; the three crew members however suffered varying degree of injury.
Final Report:

Crash of a Handley Page HP.137 Jetstream 1 in Courtyard Farm

Date & Time: Sep 29, 1969
Operator:
Registration:
G-AXEL
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Courtyard Farm - Courtyard Farm
MSN:
207
YOM:
1969
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft, brand new, has just been delivered to the owner and the crew was completing a local training flight at Courtyard Farm Aerodrome, Norfolk. On final approach, the airplane banked left, causing the left wing to drop and to struck the ground. On impact, the left main gear was partially torn off and the airplane slid for several yards before coming to rest. All three occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.67 Hastings at RAF West Raynham

Date & Time: Jun 9, 1967
Operator:
Registration:
WD491
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
West Raynham - West Raynham
MSN:
119
YOM:
1951
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll at RAF West Raynham, a tire burst. The pilot lost control of the airplane that veered off runway and came to rest. There were no casualties.
Probable cause:
Loss of control caused by a tire burst during takeoff.

Crash of a Hawker Siddeley HS.121 Trident in Felthorpe: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jun 3, 1966 at 1835 LT
Operator:
Registration:
G-ARPY
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Hatfield - Hatfield
MSN:
2126
YOM:
1965
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
4500
Captain / Total hours on type:
1600.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
6800
Aircraft flight hours:
1
Aircraft flight cycles:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft took-off from Hatfield at 1652 hours to carry out the first of a series of production test flights for the purpose of qualifying for a Series Certificate of Airworthiness. The schedule for the flight called for stalling tests should the aircraft and the flight conditions be suitable. After take-off the aircraft climbed towards the north-east and at about 1830 hours, after completing the greater part of the flight test schedule, the stalling tests were begun. Three approaches to the stall were made in order to check the aircraft's stall warning and stall recovery systems and the flight engineer's log shows that with the aircraft in the landing configuration the stick shaker operated at 102 kt and the stall recovery system at 93 kt. The fourth stalling run was made at a height of 11 600 ft with the aircraft still in the landing configuration but, in accordance with the requirements of the test schedule, the stall warning and stall recovery systems had been made inoperative. Radio telephony communication with the aircraft consisted only of routine 11 messages until at 1834 hours when the pilot-in-command reported We are in a superstall at the moment". This was the last radiocommunication received. At about this time the aircraft was seen over Felthorpe flying very slowly heading south-west at about 10 000 ft. The nose was seen to go up 30 to 40 degrees and the aircraft began to turn to port; the starboard wing then dropped sharply and, following a short burst of engine power, the aircraft went into a flat spin to starboard. The spin continued, the aircraft turning once every 6 to 8 seconds until it reached the ground about a minute and a half later. All four crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
During a stalling test decisive recovery action was delayed too long to prevent the aircraft from entering a superstall from which recovery was not possible. The flight was being conducted in accordance with an agreed test schedule. No evidence of pre-crash failure of the aircraft has come to light. During the final stalling run speed was reduced at a rate greater than 1 kt per second and recovery action was not initiated until the speed had fallen beyond the limit set by the test schedule.
Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing B-29A-70-BN Washington B.1 near RAF Marham: 4 killed

Date & Time: Dec 14, 1952 at 2100 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
WF570
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Marham - Marham
MSN:
11729
Region:
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from RAF Marham, while in initial climb, the crew noticed a fuel leak on the right wing and decided to return for an emergency landing. Unfortunately, the visibility was limited due to poor weather conditions and the pilot-in-command was forced to complete the approach with its radio compass as sole reference as there were no ATC or ground navigation aids at that time. During a last turn to join the runway approach path, the airplane lost height and crashed in a field located five miles northeast of the airfield. Four crew members were killed while four others were injured.
Probable cause:
The filler cap on the right fuel tank was incorrectly replaced after refueling, causing the fuel to flow after takeoff.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson C.19 in RAF Watton: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 16, 1952
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VM381
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Watton - Watton
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training sortie. On final approach with one engine voluntarily inoperative, the pilot-in-command elected to make a go around when he lost control of the aircraft that stalled and crashed in a field. Both pilots were killed while three other occupants were injured.

Crash of an Avro 694 Lincoln B.2 in RAF Marham: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jan 22, 1952
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
SX923
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Upwood – Marham
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
During the final approach completed by night with the flaps fully deployed, the engine number three failed. The airplane stalled and crashed in a huge explosion short of runway 06 threshold. Five crew members were killed while the sixth occupant was seriously injured.
Crew:
F/Sgt B. Wejman, †
F/Sgt R. E. Griffith, †
Sgt W. Pickering, †
Sgt F. R. Edwards, †
F/O M. L. Chatterjee, †
Sgt J. F. Groom.
Probable cause:
Failure of the engine number three.

Crash of an Airspeed AS.10 Oxford in RAF Marham: 4 killed

Date & Time: Apr 1, 1951
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NM510
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Marham - Marham
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a local training flight at RAF Marham. While completing a low pass over the runway at a height of 50 feet, the twin engine aircraft nosed down and crashed onto a barrack. All four crew members were killed. The cause of the loss of control was not determined.
Crew:
F/L Anthony Gerard Quinton Brand,
Sgt George William Wright,
LAC James Moffat,
LAC William Regan.

Crash of an Avro 683 Lancaster B1 in Buckenham: 7 killed

Date & Time: Nov 11, 1947
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
TW647
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Witchford - Witchford
Region:
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a training sortie with other similar aircraft and De Havilland DH.103 Hornet as well. Enroute, the aircraft collided with a Hornet and both aircraft dove into the ground. During the dive, the captain of the Lancaster was able to bail out before the aircraft crashed in a field, killing all seven other occupants from the 35th and 115th Squadron. The Hornet's pilot was killed as well.
Probable cause:
The Hornet's pilot misjudged the distance between both aircraft.