Date & Time: Mar 29, 1943 at 1840 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed L-414 Hudson
Operator:
Registration:
AE519
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Davidstow Moor - Davidstow Moor
MSN:
414-3874
YOM:
1941
Location:
Saint Ives
Cornwall
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
5
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
0
Other fatalities:
0
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane departed RAF Davidstow Moor at 1455LT to find a dinghy spotted off Guernsey Island. En route, the crew was informed about the deterioration of the weather conditions and was instructed to divert to Exeter Airport. While flying along the north shore of Cornwall, the aircraft went out of control and crashed into the Carbis Bay, 1,6 km off Saint Ives. Four crew members were killed while the captain was seriously injured. He died the following day from injuries sustained.
Crew (279th Squadron):
F/O Edward George Gibbs, pilot,
W/O Harry Robert Bacon, wireless operator,
F/Sgt Lindsay Vaughan Fletcher, wireless operator,
W/O Edwin Pearce Povey, wireless operator,
W/O Robert Michael Long, observer.