Zone

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson III off Saint Ives: 5 killed

Date & Time: Mar 29, 1943 at 1840 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
AE519
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Davidstow Moor - Davidstow Moor
MSN:
414-3874
YOM:
1941
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane departed RAF Davidstow Moor at 1455LT to find a dinghy spotted off Guernsey Island. En route, the crew was informed about the deterioration of the weather conditions and was instructed to divert to Exeter Airport. While flying along the north shore of Cornwall, the aircraft went out of control and crashed into the Carbis Bay, 1,6 km off Saint Ives. Four crew members were killed while the captain was seriously injured. He died the following day from injuries sustained.
Crew (279th Squadron):
F/O Edward George Gibbs, pilot,
W/O Harry Robert Bacon, wireless operator,
F/Sgt Lindsay Vaughan Fletcher, wireless operator,
W/O Edwin Pearce Povey, wireless operator,
W/O Robert Michael Long, observer.

Crash of a Vickers 417 Wellington III at RAF Davidstow Moor

Date & Time: Nov 13, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
BK280
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The airplane was on a transit flight with a crew of five on board. It crashed almost immediately after takeoff from RAF Davidstow Moor due to a tyre bursting as the bomber accelerated. All five crew members were injured.
Crew:
Sgt W. Taylor,
P/O D. G. Denslow,
Sgt L. J. Billen,
Sgt W. A. Magee,
Sgt R. H. Crystal.
Probable cause:
A tyre burst during the takeoff roll.