Silloth AFB

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Silloth - Silloth

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Circumstances:

On final approach to RAF Silloth, at a height of less than 10 feet, the aircraft stalled and hit the runway surface. While the aircraft was damaged beyond repair, both pilots were unhurt.

Probable cause:

It seems the approach speed during the last segment was insufficient.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson I at RAF Silloth: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jan 13, 1943

Type of aircraft:

Landing (descent or approach)

Operator:

Registration:

T9322

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Silloth - Silloth

MSN:

414-2357

YOM:

1941

Location:

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Circumstances:

The crew was engaged in a local training exercise at RAF Silloth. On final approach, the pilot initiated a go around procedure when control was lost. The airplane stalled and crashed short of runway, bursting int flames. All four occupants were killed.
Crew (1st OTU):
F/O Gerald James Thomas Snoxell, pilot,
Sgt Douglas Whitham Sanderson, pilot,
F/Sgt Franklin Charles Zurbrigg, navigator,
W/O Joseph Leo Gerard Belanger, wireless operator and air gunner.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson I in Beckfoot: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jan 13, 1943

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N7226

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Silloth - Silloth

MSN:

414-1622

YOM:

1940

Location:

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Circumstances:

The airplane departed RAF Silloth on a night training exercise with a crew of four on board. En route, the pilot encountered an unknown technical failure and was forced to attempt an emergency landing when the airplane crashed in an open field located in Beckfoot, northeast of Ravenglass. Three crew members were killed and a fourth was injured.
Crew (1st OTU):
Sgt Cyril Ring, pilot, †
Sgt Gregor S. McGregor, navigator, †
Sgt Walter John Hayward, wireless operator, †
Sgt A. Osborne.

Probable cause:

Unknown technical failure in flight.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson V off RAF Silloth: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jan 11, 1943

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

AM863

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Silloth - Silloth

MSN:

414-2945

YOM:

1941

Location:

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Circumstances:

While on a training sortie out from RAF Silloth, the twin engine airplane failed to return to base and is crashed in unknown circumstances into the Solway Firth. All four crew members were killed.
Crew:
F/O Edward Alexander van den Bogaert, pilot,
Cpl Bernard Corporaal,
F/O Frederik Schut,
Lac Antonius Franciscus Post.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson I off RAF Silloth: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jan 4, 1943 at 1028 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N7308

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Silloth - Silloth

MSN:

414-1704

YOM:

1940

Location:

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Circumstances:

The crew was performing a training exercise including single engine practice out from RAF Silloth. En route, the aircraft stalled and crashed into the Solway Firth, few hundred metres offshore. All three crew members were killed.
Crew (1st OTU):
Sgt D. J. Wearne, pilot,
Sgt Leo Francis Ryan, navigator,
P/O R. D. Hall.

Probable cause:

A Report into the accident, the Wg Cdr RAF Silloth stated : “ I commenced giving Wearne a check dual on Hudson N7308 previous to him flying solo. The behaviour of the aircraft was normal in every way. After about one hours flying I authorised Wearne to carry out various solo practices including single engine flying. I am quite satisfied that this pilot was quite competent to carry out the practices detailed. The pupil was a good average pilot who had been flying quite well that morning. I consider that the faulty handling of the engine controls referred to by the Investigating Officer caused the Pilot to pay too much attention to the engines, and not enough to the flying of the aircraft. with the result that the pilot stalled the aircraft and ‘spun in’. The Air Cdre Group Commander stated “ I do not agree with the findings of the Investigating Officer, as there is no evidence to justify the assumption that the cause of the accident was ‘due to the faulty handling of the engine controls.’ In my opinion the accident was caused by engine failure but the reason for the failure must remain a mystery.”
Source:
http://static.awm.gov.au/images/collection/pdf/RC09125_022--1-.pdf

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson I near RAF Silloth: 4 killed

Date & Time: Nov 30, 1942 at 2355 LT

Type of aircraft:

Landing (descent or approach)

Operator:

Registration:

N7207

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Silloth - Silloth

MSN:

414-1603

YOM:

1940

Location:

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Circumstances:

The crew was performing a night navigation exercise out from RAF Silloth. On final approach, the twin engine airplane crashed for unknown reasons in Abbeytown, 5 km southeast of the airbase. All four crew members were killed. At the time of the accident, the visibility was limited.
Crew (1st OTU):
Sgt J. Fisher, pilot,
Sgt Ronald Creighton, observer +2.

Probable cause:

Loss of control on approach caused by the inexperience of the pilot in flying on non-moon lit night.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson V near Martindale: 4 killed

Date & Time: Nov 10, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

AM680

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Silloth - Silloth

MSN:

414-2762

YOM:

1941

Location:

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Circumstances:

The twin engine airplane departed RAF Silloth at 0050LT on a night navigation exercise. At 0114LT, the crew informed ground by radio he would call later, this was the last recorded message. The wreckage was found at the end of the afternoon of November 11, on the western slope of Mt Beda Head, south of Martindale. All four crew members were killed. At the time of the accident, the visibility was poor due to the night and bad weather conditions.
Crew (1st OTU):
F/Sgt John Frederick Saunders, pilot,
F/O Derric Isaac Jones, navigator,
Sgt Stanley Alfred Veasey, wireless operator,
Sgt Harold Dickinson, air gunner.

Probable cause:

Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson I off Douglas: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 26, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N7302

Flight Phase:

Flight Type: