Brize Norton AFB | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The crew was conducting a training exercise from RAF Brize Norton when the pilot lost control of the aircraft that crashed in Lechdale-on-Thames, some 14 km northeast of Swinton. All five crew members were killed.
Crew (61st Squadron):
P/O E. I. Hewett,
P/O A. C. Manaton,
Sgt J. D. Hartley,
AC1 H. S. Burke,
AC1 A. Mullineux.

Crash of an Airspeed AS.10 Oxford I in Brize Norton

Date & Time: Mar 6, 1940

Type of aircraft:

Airspeed AS.10 Oxford

Operator:

Registration:

L4554

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

YOM:

1937

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

On final approach to RAF Brize Norton, the twin engine aircraft impacted trees and crashed in a wooded area. Both crewmen were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause:

Too low approach on part of the crew.

Crash of an Airspeed AS.10 Oxford II in Burford: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 11, 1939

Type of aircraft:

Airspeed AS.10 Oxford

Operator:

Registration:

P1800

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Brize Norton - Brize Norton

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The pilot was completing a local solo training flight out from RAF Brize Norton. In unknown circumstances, he lost control of the airplane that crashed in Burford, some 7 km north of the airfield. The pilot Sgt Sidney Hallas Newbigging was killed.

Crash of an Airspeed AS.10 Oxford I at RAF Brize Norton: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 6, 1939

Type of aircraft:

Airspeed AS.10 Oxford

Operator:

Registration:

L4547

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Brize Norton - Brize Norton

MSN:

YOM:

1937

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew departed RAF Brize Norton on a local night training flight. After takeoff, while climbing to a height of about 400 feet, the pilot-in-command initiated a right turn when the airplane entered an area of heavy rain falls. Control was lost and the aircraft crashed in Black Bourton, south of the airbase. Both pilots were killed.
crew:
P/O Robert Patrick Shene Davidson,
Sgt Richard Watkin Adcock.

Probable cause:

It was determined that the accident was probably caused by the aircraft running into the heavy rain shower at four hundred feet and that Davidson failed to rely on his instruments to maintain height and direction. The enquiry also established that Peter Davidson had flown thirty eight hours in Oxfords and it was considered that his experience was in instrument flying had not been tested before he was permitted to fly at night.

Crash of an Airspeed AS.10 Oxford I in Brize Norton

Date & Time: May 9, 1939

Type of aircraft:

Airspeed AS.10 Oxford

Operator:

Registration:

L4600

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Brize Norton - Brize Norton

MSN:

YOM:

1938

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While on a local night training flight our from Brize Norton Airport, the crew was forced to attempt an emergency landing in a field following an engine failure. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and both pilots were unhurt.

Probable cause:

Engine failure in flight.