Calshot AFB | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

While taking off from RAF Calshot, the seaplane encountered difficulties to gain height. It nosed down and crashed into the Southampton River. Two crew members were killed and two others were injured.
Crew:
F/O John Charles Francis Peacock, †
LAC Harry George Thomas Foley, †
W/Cdr Theodore Quintus Studd,
AC1 James Barry O'Connell.

Probable cause:

Wilkins of the Accidents Branch of the Air Ministry, said that the tail actuating gear was found in a fully forward position, which would make the flying boat extremely nose heavy. He thought that it would be difficult, if not impossible, for the machine to take off from the water. In reply to the Coroner, he said that the responsibility for the position of the gear rested normally on the instructor in charge of the aircraft. The jury returned a verdict that the accident was due to an error of judgement.

Crash of a Supermarine Southampton off Invergordon: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 10, 1928

Type of aircraft:

Supermarine Southampton

Operator:

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Calshot - Invergordon

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew departed RAF Calshot on a flight to RAF Invergordon, Scotland. While trying to land on the Cromarty Firth, the seaplane collided with a tender mast and crashed in the bay. A crew member was killed and three others were rescued.

Crash of a Fairey IIID at RAF Calshot: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 26, 1926

Type of aircraft:

Fairey III

Operator:

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Calshot - Calshot

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew departed RAF Calshot on a local training mission when the airplane crashed shortly after takeoff. A pilot was killed instantly while the second died from his injuries two days later.
Crew:
F/Lt Geoffrey William Hemming,
F/O Robert Collins.

Crash of a Felixstowe F.5 off RAF Calshot: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 16, 1925

Type of aircraft:

Felixstowe F.5

Operator:

Registration:

N4039

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Calshot - Calshot

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was completing a night training sortie out from RAF Calshot. While approaching the Calshot Spit, the pilot was attempting to land on glassy water when the seaplane landed hard and crashed. A crew member was killed and three others were injured.
Crew:
F/Lt Norbert Marie Sackville Russell,
F/O Robert Collins,
Cpl Herbert Essam,
AC1 Reginald Frederick Charles Copsey. †

Crash of a Felixstowe F.5 off RAF Calshot

Date & Time: Sep 12, 1922

Type of aircraft:

Felixstowe F.5

Operator:

Registration:

N4639

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from RAF Calshot, the seaplane suffered an engine failure and crashed in the sea. All six crew members were rescued and the aircraft sank.

Probable cause:

Engine failure.