Zone
Glamorgan

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson I on Mt Mynydd Maendy: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jan 7, 1940 at 1430 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed L-414 Hudson
Operator:
Registration:
N7256
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Test
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Saint Athan - Saint Athan
MSN:
414-1652
YOM:
1939
Location:
Mt Mynydd Maendy
Glamorgan
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The crew departed RAF St Athan to test a new Anti Surface Vessel system. En route, the airplane deviated from the prescribed route. While cruising in limited visibility due to low clouds, the airplane impacted the slope of Mt Mynydd Maendy located near Nant-y-Moel. All five occupants were killed.
Crew:
Sgt Francis Frederick Bousfield, pilot,
Sgt Frank Foster Hallam, pilot,
LAC Arthur Wilfred Smith, wireless operator and air gunner.
Passengers:
Robert Kyd Beattie, civilian contractor,
Peter Ingleby, civilian contractor.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson I in Prestwick

Date & Time: Jan 5, 1940 at 1505 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed L-414 Hudson
Operator:
Registration:
N7250
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Saint Athan – Prestwick
MSN:
414-1646
YOM:
1939
Location:
Prestwick
Ayrshire
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to Prestwick Airport, the pilot-in-command opened the throttle with flaps fully extended. The airplane stalled and crashed. All four occupants were injured.
Crew:
P/O A. P. Davis,
Sgt J. Gosling,
AC1 E. Pearce,
Cpl E. Graham.
Probable cause:
Pilot error on final approach.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim IV on Mt Ben Inner: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 8, 1939
Type of aircraft:
Bristol 142 Blenheim
Operator:
Registration:
P4848
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Perth – Saint Athan
MSN:
9363
YOM:
1939
Location:
Mt Ben Inner
Dumfries and Galloway
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
En route from Perth to RAF Saint Athan, the twin engine airplane impacted the slope of Mt Ben Inner located near Carsphairn. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Crew:
F/Lt Kenneth Norman Masters Eyres, pilot.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson I off Bude

Date & Time: Oct 19, 1939 at 2150 LT
Type of aircraft:
Avro 652 Anson
Operator:
Registration:
N5055
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Saint Athan – Cleave
Location:
Bude
Cornwall
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The crew departed RAF St Athan on a night training exercice to RAF Cleave. En route, one of the engine failed, forcing the pilot to ditch the airplane that crashed in shallow water off Bude. All four crew members evacuated the cabin but only three reached the shore as the pilot drowned.
Crew:
P/O Joseph Wendell Boreham,
P/O Harry James Winch,
Sgt Peter Chris Cunningham,
AC1 Clifford Douglas Bradbury.
Probable cause:
Engine failure in flight.
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