Crash of a Douglas DB-7A Boston II in Thame

Date & Time: Sep 7, 1942 at 2200 LT
Operator:
Registration:
AH492
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Hunsdon - Hunsdon
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a training sortie out from RAF Hunsdon when both engines failed in flight. Two crew members bailed out and the pilot completed an emergency landing in a pasture located 1,5 km west of Thame. There were no casualties and the airplane was destroyed by a post crash fire.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure in flight.

Crash of a Douglas DB-7A Havoc II off Clacton-on-Sea: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 6, 1942
Operator:
Registration:
AH444
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Hunsdon - Hunsdon
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew was performing an air to air firing practice off Lion Point when control was lost. The airplane crashed into the sea some 200 yards offshore. Both crew members were killed.
Crew (85th Squadron):
P/O Hugh Murrough McKiernan, pilot,
P/O Geoffrey Michael Brearley, observer.

Crash of a Douglas DB-7 Boston III off Foulness Island: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 2, 1942 at 0247 LT
Operator:
Registration:
AH514
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Hunsdon - Hunsdon
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The airplane departed RAF Hunsdon at 0105LT on a maritime patrol flight. It is believed that it was shot down by friendly fire, maybe a British fighter, and crashed into the sea off Foulness Island. The pilot was rescued while the radio operator was killed.
Crew:
F/Sgt T. A. Gibbs, pilot,
Sgt Maurice Stanley Jack Waller, radio operator. †
Probable cause:
Shot down by friendly fire.

Crash of a Douglas DB-7 Boston II at RAF Hunsdon: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 30, 1942 at 1500 LT
Operator:
Registration:
AH452
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Hunsdon - Hunsdon
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training flight at RAF Hunsdon. On final approach, the airplane suffered an engine failure and crashed short of runway. The pilot was killed and the second crew was injured.
Crew:
F/Sgt Clinton Melville Chute, pilot, †
Sgt G. W. Powell.
Probable cause:
Engine failure on approach.

Crash of a Douglas DB-7 Boston III in Widford: 3 killed

Date & Time: Apr 18, 1942
Operator:
Registration:
W8276
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Hunsdon - Hunsdon
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The airplane departed RAF Hunsdon on a cross country flight to RAF West Malling. After takeoff, the pilot flew an unauthorized aerobatic display over his girlfriend's home, during which the aircraft was seen to flip over onto its back and dove into the ground, crashing in a field in Widford, just north of the airbase. All three crew members were killed.
Crew:
S/L James Eglinton Marshall, pilot,
P/O Richard Glendenning Beard, pilot,
Sgt Charles Walter Allen, wireless operator.
Probable cause:
Pilot error.

Crash of a Douglas DB-7 Boston III in Bishop's Stortford: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 9, 1942
Operator:
Registration:
AH476
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Hunsdon - Hunsdon
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a GCI training sortie out from RAF Hunsdon. While maneuvering in marginal weather, the crew lost control of the airplane that crashed in Bishop's Stortford. Both occupants were killed.
Crew:
P/O Paul Michael Rudgard, pilot,
Sgt James Sherriffs Salmond.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the pilot became disoriented in marginal weather conditions.

Crash of a Douglas A-20 Havoc II at RAF Hunsdon

Date & Time: Dec 16, 1941
Operator:
Registration:
AH473
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Hunsdon - Hunsdon
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was conducting a GCI training flight at RAF Hunsdon. On final approach, at a height of 100 feet, both engines lost power. The airplane stalled and landed hard, causing the undercarriage to collapse. The airplane was damaged beyond repair and both crew members were injured.
Probable cause:
Loss of engine power on final.

Crash of a Douglas A-20A Havoc II at RAF Hunsdon: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 21, 1941
Operator:
Registration:
AH432
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Hunsdon - Hunsdon
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew departed RAF Hunsdon at 1545LT on a local training exercise. While flying in the vicinity of the airbase at low height, the airplane collided with trees and crashed, bursting into flames. Two crew members were killed and a third was injured.
Crew:
P/O Maurice Charles Woodgate, pilot, †
Sgt Smith, observer,
Sgt Arthur Edward Norrish, wireless operator. †

Crash of a Douglas A-20A Havoc II in Deal: 2 killed

Date & Time: Oct 31, 1941 at 2005 LT
Operator:
Registration:
AH520
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Hunsdon - Hunsdon
Location:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The airplane was returning to base at RAF Hunsdon following a maritime patrol flight when it crashed for unknown reasons in Deal. Both crew members were killed.
Crew:
W/Cdr Arthur Thomas Drake Sanders, pilot,
F/O Sydney Austin.

Crash of a Douglas A-20A Havoc I at RAF Hunsdon: 2 killed

Date & Time: Oct 22, 1941
Operator:
Registration:
AX912
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Hunsdon - Hunsdon
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training exercise at RAF Hunsdon. While on approach, the airplane suffered an engine failure, stalled and crashed. A pilot was killed while the second occupant was seriously injured. The only survivor die five days later from injuries sustained.
Crew:
P/O Joseph Alfonse Deneys, pilot,
Sgt John Reginald Jackson, pilot.
Probable cause:
Engine failure on approach.