Crash of a Grumman S-2F-1 Tracker off Gibraltar: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 18, 1963
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
152
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
713
YOM:
1958
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew was taking part to an exercise with two destroyers when control was lost. The airplane crashed into the sea off Gibraltar and was lost. Two crew members were rescued while two others drowned.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-DL at RAF Bentwaters

Date & Time: Mar 4, 1963
Operator:
Registration:
43-30655
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Bentwaters - Bentwaters
MSN:
13806
YOM:
1944
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew (three engineers) were engaged in a series of ground tests. While rolling at high speed on a taxiway, control was lost. The airplane veered off taxiway to the left and eventually collided with trees. The airplane was damaged beyond repair while all three occupants were uninjured.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the crew failed to prepare the mission properly and forgot to remove the rudder lock prior to start the tests manoeuvres.

Crash of a Vickers 607 Valetta T.3 near Chippenham: 3 killed

Date & Time: Aug 28, 1962
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
WJ480
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Lyneham - Lyneham
MSN:
605
YOM:
11
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a local training flight at RAF Lyneham, consisting of takeoff and landings with one engine inoperative. Following a low pass over RAF Lyneham, the crew continued to the northwest when control was lost. The airplane dove into the ground and crashed in a field located five miles northwest of Chippenham. Two crew members were killed while the third occupant was seriously injured. He died from his injuries eight days later.
Probable cause:
The crew voluntarily shut down the right engine to simulate a failure and switched off the fuel system. While climbing, the crew elected to restart the right engine but forgot to switch the fuel system on. Due to insufficient speed, the airplane lost height, stalled and eventually crashed.

Crash of a Bristol 170 Freighter 21 in Douglas

Date & Time: Jun 30, 1962
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
G-AGVC
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
12732
YOM:
1946
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On touchdown at Douglas-Ronaldsway Airport, Isle of Man, one of the main landing gear collapsed. The airplane sank on runway and came to rest. There were no injuries but the aircraft was written off.
Probable cause:
Undercarriage collapsed on landing.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.104 Dove in Edinburgh

Date & Time: May 29, 1962
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
G-ANDY
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
04441
YOM:
1953
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Edinburgh-Turnhouse Airport, while climbing, an engine failed. The airplane struck power cables, stalled and crashed in a field. Both crew members were evacuated while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine failure after liftoff.

Crash of a Blackburn B-101 Beverley C.1 off Chichester: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 17, 1962
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
XL132
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Thorney Island - Thorney Island
MSN:
1033
YOM:
1957
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a training mission on behalf of the 242nd OCU based at RAF Thorney Island. In flight, an engine caught fire and the crew lost control of the airplane that crashed in the Chichester harbor. Two crew members were killed and three others were rescued.
Probable cause:
Loss of control following an engine fire in flight.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-1-DK in Saint Boniface Down: 12 killed

Date & Time: May 6, 1962 at 1429 LT
Operator:
Registration:
G-AGZB
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Jersey – Portsmouth
MSN:
12180
YOM:
1943
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
15
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
12
Captain / Total flying hours:
7000
Captain / Total hours on type:
600.00
Circumstances:
While descending to Portsmouth from the south on a flight from Jersey, the crew encountered poor weather conditions. On approach to the Isle of Wight, the pilot-in-command reduced his altitude when the airplane struck a hill and crashed in flames in Saint Boniface Down, northeast of Ventnor. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and both pilots and eight passengers were killed instantly. The stewardess and another passenger subsequently died of their injuries. Five passengers were seriously injured.
Probable cause:
As a result of an error of airmanship the aircraft was flown below a safe altitude in bad weather conditions and struck cloud-covered high ground.
Final Report:

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.67 Hastings C.1 at RAF Thorney Island

Date & Time: Mar 7, 1962
Operator:
Registration:
TG508
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
12
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On approach to RAF Thorney Island, during the last segment, the airplane was caught by downdraft and struck the ground. On impact, the undercarriage were sheared off. The airplane slid for several yards and came to rest in flames. There were no casualties but the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Suffered downdraft on final approach.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.67 Hastings C.1 in Belfast

Date & Time: Dec 27, 1961
Operator:
Registration:
TG624
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Belfast - Belfast
MSN:
102
YOM:
1950
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll, the four engine airplane started to skid on runway. The pilot-in-command pull the control column and completed the rotation. The airplane lifted off and climbed a bit then sank and crashed onto the runway. Out of control, it veered off runway and came to rest. All four crew members were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident remains unclear.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.89A Dragon Rapide in Land's End

Date & Time: Dec 12, 1961
Operator:
Registration:
G-AKZB
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
6790
YOM:
1948
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to Land's End Airport, the twin engine aircraft was too low and struck the ground short of runway. The left main gear was sheared off and the airplane came to rest with its both left wings partially sheared off. There were no casualties but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.