United Kingdom

Survivors:

Site:

Handley Page H.P.81 Hermes

Schedule:

Warton - Warton

MSN:

04099

YOM:

1949

Location:

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Region:

Crew on board:

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Circumstances:

The crew (one instructor and one pilot) was involved in a local training flight consisting of the pilot's proficiency check. After takeoff, while climbing to a height of 200 feet, the instructor reduced power on the left engine, feathered the propeller and raised the flaps. At this time, the airplane lost speed and height. The instructor took over the controls and attempted an emergency landing in a field past the runway end. The aircraft crash landed in a field and came to rest. Both occupants were unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

It was determined that the starboard propeller was found to be feathered. Later examination revealed no faults in either propeller feathering systems.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.81 Hermes IV/A in London

Date & Time: Mar 8, 1960

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

G-ALDH

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Positioning

Survivors:

Site:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

MSN:

81/9

YOM:

1950

Location:

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Circumstances:

Upon landing at Heathrow Airport, the right main landing gear collapsed. The four engine aircraft skidded on runway before coming to rest. All six crew members were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Failure of the right main gear upon landing due to fatigue.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-5-DK in Birmingham

Date & Time: Mar 5, 1960

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

G-AMSF

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

14380/25825

YOM:

1944

Location:

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Region:

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Circumstances:

At liftoff, while in initial climb, the airplane banked right, causing the right wing tip to struck the ground. The aircraft struck the ground and came to rest with a small fire on the left engine that was quickly extinguished. All 31 occupants were evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Failure of the right engine during takeoff.

Crash of a Vickers 802 Viscount in London

Date & Time: Jan 7, 1960

Type of aircraft:

Vickers Viscount

Operator:

Registration:

G-AOHU

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Dublin – London

MSN:

169

YOM:

1957

Location:

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Region:

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Circumstances:

Upon landing, the nose gear collapsed. The airplane skidded for about 500 yards before coming to rest in flames. All 59 occupants were evacuated safely while the aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire.

Probable cause:

The failure of Air Traffic Control to notify the captain of a critical deterioration in runway Visual Range during his final approach. In consequence he attempted to land in a visibility which gave him insufficient visual reference with the result that the nosewheels contacted the runway before the mainwheels thereby overstressing the nose wheel unit and fracturing its attachments.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.104 Devon C.1 in Farnborough: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 24, 1959

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.104 Dove

Operator:

Registration:

WF984

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Farnborough - Farnborough

MSN:

04287

YOM:

1951

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

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Circumstances:

The crew was engaged in a local training mission out from Farnborough. Shortly after takeoff, the crew encountered technical problems with the undercarriage. As the airplane failed to gain sufficient height, it struck tree tops and crashed in a wooded area. Both crew members were killed.

Crash of an Airspeed AS.65 Consul in Elstree

Date & Time: Nov 21, 1959

Type of aircraft:

Airspeed AS.65 Consul

Operator:

Registration:

G-AJXE

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Elstree - Elstree

MSN:

5164

YOM:

1947

Location:

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Region:

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Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Following an uneventful local flight, the twin engine aircraft crash landed at Elstree Airport. Both occupants were unhurt but the airplane was considered as damaged beyond repair. It was owned by Patrick Lowlor.

Crash of a Vickers 648 Varsity T.1 near RAF Tangmere: 2 killed

Date & Time: Oct 19, 1959

Type of aircraft:

Vickers Varsity

Operator:

Registration:

WF381

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Test

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Boscombe Down - Boscombe Down

MSN:

540

YOM:

1952

Location:

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Region:

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Circumstances:

The crew was involved in a test flight for an asymmetric safety speed assessment out from RAF Boscombe Down. At an altitude of 10,000 feet, the crew lost control of the airplane after applying full power on one engine in takeoff configuration. The aircraft stalled, dove into the ground and crashed in an open field. Both crew members were killed.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson T.21 at RAF Leeming

Date & Time: Sep 23, 1959

Type of aircraft:

Avro 652 Anson

Operator:

Registration:

WJ514

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Binbrook - Leeming

Location:

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Circumstances:

The crew was performing a training flight from RAF Binbrook to RAF Leeming. On touchdown, the tail wheel detached. The airplane swung on runway and went out of control before coming to rest. While both crew members were uninjured, the airplane was considered as damaged beyond repair. Strong cross winds were blowing at the time of the accident.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson C.19 at RAF Boscombe Down

Date & Time: Aug 5, 1959

Type of aircraft:

Avro 652 Anson

Operator:

Registration:

VM305

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site: