Hendon

Consolidated LB-30 Liberator

Schedule:

Hendon - Hendon

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On final approach to RAF Hendon, while performing a local training sortie, the aircraft stalled and hit several buildings located 1'100 yards short of the runway threshold. On impact, the aircraft nosed down and crashed on a trolleybus. Both pilots were killed while eight civilians seating in the trolleybus were seriously injured.

Probable cause:

It appears that the crew completed the final approach with an engine voluntarily inoperative. Due to an insufficient approach speed, the aircraft stalled and crashed. Following this accident, training flights with engine shut down will be prohibited at RAF Hendon and will be operated at RAF Bassingbourn.

Crash of a Consolidated LB-30 Liberator II off Gibraltar: 16 killed

Date & Time: Jul 4, 1943 at 2307 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

AL523

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Government

Survivors:

Site:

Lockheed 12 Electra Junior

Schedule:

Gibraltar - Hendon

MSN:

021

YOM:

1941

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Circumstances:

The Captain Eduard Prchal, the only survivor, confirmed he received the green light from the tower and began the night take-off roll. He pulled the stick back and the aircraft started to climb. At an altitude of 150 feet, he pushed the controls of the aircraft forward to gain speed when he discovered he was unable to pull the stick back. The steering mechanism was jammed or locked. The aircraft then lost height rapidly. The Captain closed the four throttles and warned the others through the intercom "Attention, crash". The aircraft crashed into the sea 16 seconds after take off. The Captain was the only survivor as all 16 other occupants were killed, among them the Polish General and Prime Minister Władysław Sikorski, his daughter Zofia and his Chief of Staff, the Major General Tadeusz Klimecki. The crew was from the 511th Squadron.
Passengers:
Col Victor Cazalet,
Jan Gralewski,
Maj Gen Tadeusz Klimecki,
Adj Adam Kułakowski,
Zofia Leśniowska,
Walter Heathcote Lock,
Col Andrzej Marecki,
Adj Harry Pinder,
Lt Józef Ponikiewski,
Gen Władysław Sikorski
Brig John Percival Whiteley.

Probable cause:

A British Court of Inquiry convened on 7 July 1943 to investigate the crash, following the order by Air Marshal Sir John Slessor of 5 July 1943. On 25 July 1943 the Court concluded that the accident was caused by the "jamming of elevator controls" which led to the aircraft being uncontrollable after take-off. The report noted that "it has not been possible to determine how the jamming occurred" although it ruled out sabotage. Slessor was not satisfied with the report and on 28 July ordered the Court to continue its investigation to find out whether the controls were indeed jammed or not, and if they were, then for what reason. Despite further investigation the Court was unable to resolve Slessor's doubts. The Polish government refused to endorse this report because of the contradictions cited therein, and the lack of conclusive findings.

Crash of a Lockheed 12 Electra Junior on Mt Low Water Tarn: 3 killed

Date & Time: Oct 14, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

LA622

Flight Phase:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Ayr – Hendon

MSN:

1282

YOM:

1942

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Circumstances:

En route from Ayr to Hendon, the twin engine airplane impacted the slope of Mt Low Water Tarn located near Coniston, Cumbria. The airplane disintegrated on impact and all three occupants were killed, two pilots from the American manufacturer Lockheed and an Inspector of the Royal Air Force.
Crew:
F/O George Bevil Grenfell, pilot.
Passengers:
George Werner Bransom, pilot,
Osbourne R. Keith, pilot.

Probable cause:

Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson I in Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd: 13 killed

Date & Time: Jul 17, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed L-414 Hudson

Operator:

Registration:

N7253

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

De Havilland DH.95 Flamingo

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Sydenham - Hendon

MSN:

414-1649

YOM:

1940

Location:

Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd

Denbighshire

Country:

United Kingdom

Region:

Europe

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Circumstances:

The twin engine airplane was performing a flight from RAF Sydenham (Belfast City) to RAF Hendon (Middlesex) with ten VIP passengers and a crew of three on board. While cruising over Wales in poor weather conditions, the aircraft went out of control, dove into the ground and crashed in a pasture located in Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd, some 2 km south of Ruthin. All 13 occupants were killed, among them three civilians. It appears that there was stormy weather with turbulence and it seems the aircraft went out of control after being hit by lightning.
Crew:
F/Lt John Bryan Glostek Rogers, pilot,
W/O Thomas Derrick Butcher, observer,
Sgt Charles Robert Bell, wireless operator.
Passengers:
Ac1 Kenneth Manley Tucker,
S/L Arthur William Hoggar,
W/Cdr Malcolm Morgan McMullan,
F/Lt Brian Stanley Bannister,
F/O Neville Patrick Peter Kearney,
Lt/Cdr Alfred Noel Waring,
Maj Terence Andrew Alfred Watt,
Mr. Edgar Armitage,
Mr. Herbert Ernest Smith,
Mr. Charles Arthur Denaby Coatman.

Probable cause:

Loss of control while flying in thunderstorm activity after being hit by lightning.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.95 Hertfordshire near Great Ouseburn: 11 killed

Date & Time: Apr 30, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

R2764

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

East Fortune - Hendon

MSN:

95003

YOM:

1940

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Captain / Total flying hours:

3755

Circumstances:

The object of the flight was to take four Russian Military Officers on a tour of inspection. The aircraft had earlier in the day flown from Hendon to Kirton-of-Tealing and thence to East Fortune. It was refueled at Tealing and was not serviced in any way at East Fortune. At 1625LT the captain took off from RAF East Fortune to fly back to Hendon. When approximately 3 ½ miles north of Great Ouseburn, York’s and flying at a height of about 2,000 feet, a defect developed in the starboard engine which caused n°7 cylinder to become detached from the crankcase. A fire broke out almost immediately in the neighborhood of the starboard engine nacelle and was of sufficient intensity to cause the starboard wing to break off at a point just outboard of the engine bearers and also to cause the starboard engine to break away. The fuselage, port wing, port engine and port undercarriage unit fell to the ground and burst into flames. All 10 occupants were killed.
Crew:
P/O I. Ramsey, pilot,
Sgt J. B. Smith, observer,
F/Sgt A. J. Stripp, radio operator,
Lac J. Lewis, fitter.
Passengers:
S/L K. W. Edwards,
F/Lt F. W. Wilton,
Col Pugatchev,
Maj Asyamov,
Maj P. Baranov,
Maj B. Shvetsov.

Probable cause:

The cause of the accident was failure of the starboard engine. The reason for this cannot be stated with certainty but the evidence suggests that n°6 piston failed first and that this was followed by a rapid internal break up resulting in the knocking off of n°7 cylinder. This was followed by fire in the engine nacelle which quickly became very intense – probably as a result of the explosion of a wing fuel tank. The starboard wing then broke off and the engine fell out. The fuselage and tailplane were struck by some part of the detached wing or by the engine.
- There was no evidence that the servicing of this aircraft had been inadequate.
- There was no evidence to suggest sabotage.
- The pilot was experienced and fully qualified to carry out this flight.
- Apart from this accident and one in October 1940 (Hertfordshire R.2510), the D.H.95 seems to have a good record.

Final Report:

Crash of a Stinson SR-10C Reliant at RAF Hendon

Date & Time: Apr 28, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Stinson SR-10 Reliant

Operator:

Registration:

W7978

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

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Site:

De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide

MSN:

5904

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Crashed for unknown reasons while taking off from RAF Hendon. The pilot, sole on board, was injured.

Ground accident of a De Havilland DH.89A Dragon Rapide at RAF Hendon

Date & Time: Apr 11, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

W6456

Flight Phase:

Taxiing

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

De Havilland DH.85 Leopard Moth

MSN:

6342

YOM:

1936

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Circumstances:

While taxiing for departure, the aircraft's left tyre burst. The aircraft went out of control, veered off taxiway to the left and came to rest in a grassy area. While all six occupants were unhurt, the aircraft was no repaired.

Probable cause:

Tyre burst.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.85 Leopard Moth in Buscot Park: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 30, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

AW156

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Landing (descent or approach)

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Hendon - Brize Norton

MSN:

7062

YOM:

1934

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Circumstances:

The single airplane was on a transit flight from Hendon to RAF Brize Norton when it collided with a RAF Oxford registered N6431 and carrying two crew members. Both airplanes dove into the ground and crashed in Buscot Park, about 11 km southwest of RAF Brize Norton. All three crew members in both airplanes were killed.
Crew:
Sgt Philip Henry Burston, pilot.

Crash of a Percival Q.6 Petrel in Castletown

Date & Time: Sep 10, 1941

Type of aircraft:

Percival Q.6 Petrel

Operator:

Registration:

X9454

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

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