Avro 679 Manchester

Operator:

Registration:

L7491

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

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Schedule:

Wigsley - Wigsley

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Swerved on take off, veered off runway and came to rest. No casualties.

Crash of an Avro 679 Manchester I in RAF Swinderby

Date & Time: May 1, 1943

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Registration:

L7468

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On final approach to RAF Swinderby, an engine caught fire and exploded. The aircraft stalled and crashed in flames in an open field short of runway. All seven crew were injured while the aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause:

Engine fire.

Crash of an Avro 679 Manchester in RAF Wigsley

Date & Time: Apr 15, 1943 at 1850 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

L7294

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Training

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Wigsley - Wigsley

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The aircraft left RAF Wigsley at 1645LT for a cross country exercise. Less than two hours later, an engine caught fire and the captain decided to return to his base. On final approach, the aircraft on fire stalled and crashed in a field short of runway. While all seven crew members were injured, the aircraft was destroyed by fire.
Crew (1654 HCU):
Sgt William Hedley Eager,
Sgt T. D. Viggers,
Sgt H. T. Petts,
Sgt T. H. James,
Sgt F. R. Stone,
Sgt G. E. Hunnington,
Sgt A. Jones.

Probable cause:

Engine fire.

Crash of an Avro 679 Manchester I at RAF Wigsley

Date & Time: Apr 4, 1943

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Registration:

L7291

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On touchdown, the aircraft went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest in flames. As all seven crew members were unhurt while the aircraft was destroyed.

Crash of an Avro 679 Manchester I in RAF Swinderby

Date & Time: Mar 24, 1943

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

L7453

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

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Schedule:

Swinderby - Swinderby

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Shortly after take off, while in initial climb, an engine caught fire. The crew decided to land immediately while the landing gear have just been retracted. The aircraft belly landed and skidded few yards before coming to rest. All seven crew were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Engine fire.

Crash of an Avro 679 Manchester I at RAF Wickenby

Date & Time: Mar 12, 1943 at 1255 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

W5838

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Test

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Winthorpe - Winthorpe

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The crew departed RAF Winthorpe to demonstrate feathering procedures, during which the port engine was shut down. The pilot attempted to restart the engine at 5,000 feet, but was forced to crash-land at RAF Wickenby after the port propeller failed to unfeather. After landing, the airplane was unable to stop within the remaining distance, overshot the runway and came to rest in a ditch, causing the starboard undercarriage to collapse. The crew escaped unhurt and the airplane was damaged beyond repair.
Crew:
W/O E. Knight, pilot +4.

Crash of an Avro 679 Manchester I in North Scarle: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 2, 1943 at 1515 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

L7277

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Test

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Wigsley - Wigsley

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The crew departed RAF Wigsley at 1425LT on a local test. The purpose of the mission was to demonstrate the feathering procedures. Around 1500LT, as the port propeller failed to disengage from the feathered position, the instructor ended the exercise and decided to return to base. On approach, the undercarriage refused to lower and remained jammed in the wheel well. The bomber collided with a tree and crash landed in an open field located in North Scarle, about 2 km south of the airfield, bursting into flames. The wireless operator was killed and six other crew members were injured.
Crew:
F/Lt Philip John Stone, pilot,
Sgt Matthew William Hanley, flight engineer,
Sgt Marshall Young Smith, bomb aimer,
Sgt Patrick Brook, wireless operator, †
Sgt W. C. Brearley,
Sgt F. A. John,
Sgt R. F. Lee.

Probable cause:

The port engine propeller failed to disengage from the feathered position and the undercarriage remained stuck in their respective wheel well.

Crash of an Avro 679 Manchester I at RAF Waddington

Date & Time: Feb 14, 1943 at 1100 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

L7286

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

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Schedule:

Swinderby - Swinderby

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Circumstances:

The airplane departed RAF Swinderby at 0916LT on a navigation training sortie. While cruising at an altitude of 1,000 feet, the right engine caught fire. The captain decided to divert to RAF Waddington to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft belly landed and came to rest. All seven crew members (1660 OCU) escaped unhurt.

Probable cause:

The flame traps burned in flight, causing the right engine to catch fire.

Crash of an Avro 679 Manchester I in Fishtoft Drove

Date & Time: Feb 11, 1943 at 1540 LT

Type of aircraft: