Hope

En route, a fire broke out. The crew decided to abandon the aircraft and bailed out. The aircraft dove into the ground and crashed in a field located five miles southwest of Hope. Three crew members were unhurt while the fourth occupant was killed, apparently because the parachute failed to open properly.

The aircraft took off during the mid-morning of the 15th February 1943 from Wellesbourne Mountford near Stratford upon Avon for a cross country flight. At just after 1300LT the aircraft descended out of bad weather (possibly due to icing) and became enveloped in a snow storm, shortly afterwards the aircraft crashed, seemingly out of control, with a steep nose down attitude near to Peakshole Water. The aircraft slide for a short distance, crossing the river and striking a large embankment on the other side where the aircraft was completely destroyed.
Crew (22nd OTU):
Sgt John Douglas Kester, pilot,
Sgt Richard Foote Cairns, navigator,
Sgt William James Hackett, air gunner,
Sgt Bernard Elliott Wilkinson, air gunner,
Sgt William Arthur Billy Marwood, wireless operator and air gunner.
Source & photo:
http://www.peakdistrictaircrashes.co.uk/pages/peakdistrict/peakdistricthf613.htm

On landing at Hope, in the Kenai Peninsula, a gear failed. The four engine aircraft veered off runway and came to rest. No casualties.