Crash of a Vickers 290 Wellington I near RAF Harwell: 3 killed

Date & Time: Aug 5, 1940 at 1445 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
L4264
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Harwell - Harwell
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a local training mission out from RAF Harwell on behalf of the 15th OTU. On final approach, while making a last turn to join the approach path, the aircraft stalled and crashed in a field. All three occupants were killed.
Crew (15th OTU):
P/O Eric John Lester, pilot,
F/L John Llewelyn Rees, pilot,
P/O Peter Dahl Arup, pilot.

Crash of a Vickers 290 Wellington I in Ismailia

Date & Time: Jul 30, 1940
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
L4235
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Ismailia - Ismailia
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After touchdown at Ismailia Airfield, the aircraft swerved on runway, lost its undercarriage and came to rest in surrounding area. The crew escaped unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Vickers 290 Wellington I at RAF Harwell

Date & Time: Jul 22, 1940
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
L4369
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Harwell - Harwell
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After liftoff, the aircraft was unable to gain height, stalled and crashed, bursting into flames. All five crew members were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Wong flaps selection for takeoff on part of the crew.

Crash of a Vickers 290 Wellington I at RAF Bassingbourn

Date & Time: Jul 7, 1940
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
L4331
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to RAF Bassingbourn, the aircraft rolled left and right then stalled and crashed short of runway. All crew survived while the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control on short final following an engine failure.

Crash of a Vickers 290 Wellington I at RAF Bassingbourn

Date & Time: Jun 25, 1940
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
L4222
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Bassingbourn - Bassingbourn
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training flight at RAF Bassingbourn. For unknown reason, the aircraft landed hard. Upon touchdown, the undercarriage sank and the aircraft slid for few dozen yards before coming to rest. All four crew members escaped uninjured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Vickers 290 Wellington I at RAF Harwell

Date & Time: Jun 22, 1940
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
L4282
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Harwell - Harwell
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was involved in a night training exercise at RAF Harwell. After completing few circuits in the vicinity of the airbase, the crew initiated a new approach procedure. The student pilot at controls overshot the flare and the instructor took over the control and landed. After a course of some 150 metres, the aircraft veered off runway and collided with a pile of sandbags. While all three occupants were unhurt, the aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair.
Crew (15th OTU):
S/L A. H. Smythe +2.
Probable cause:
Wrong approach configuration on part of the crew.

Crash of a Vickers 290 Wellington I at RAF Bassingbourn

Date & Time: May 13, 1940
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
L4378
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Bassingbourn - Bassingbourn
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff, while on a training mission for the 11th OTU, the aircraft stalled and crashed in a wooded area, bursting into flames. There were no casualties.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.

Crash of a Vickers 290 Wellington I in Belfast

Date & Time: May 12, 1940
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
L4231
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After landing at Belfast-Aldergrove Airport, the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance, overran and came to rest. All occupants were uninjured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
It appears that the loss of control after landing was caused by jammed flaps.

Crash of a Vickers 290 Wellington I in Swindon

Date & Time: Apr 29, 1940 at 1550 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
L4267
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Harwell - Harwell
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew departed RAF Harwell to practice emergency landings. En route, an engine lost power, forcing the crew to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft came to rest in a field located near Swindon, Wiltshire. All four occupants escaped unhurt and the aircraft was written off.
Crew (15th OTU):
P/O C. I. Rolfe +3.
Probable cause:
Loss of power on one engine.

Crash of a Vickers 290 Wellington I at RAF Harwell

Date & Time: Apr 22, 1940
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
L4236
Survivors:
Yes
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Following a reconnaissance mission, the crew was returning to his base at RAF Harwell. For unknown reasons, the pilot missed the approach and landed hard. This caused the aircraft to bounce and to climb, entering an excessive nose-up attitude. It eventually stalled and crashed on the runway. There were no casualties.
Probable cause:
Wrong landing configuration.