Crash of an Airspeed AS.10 Oxford I in Akaroa: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 15, 1940 at 1130 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
NZ279
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Wigram - Wigram
MSN:
501
YOM:
1940
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
182
Captain / Total hours on type:
38.00
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a training flight and departed RNZAF Wigram in the morning. After completing an artillery exercise in Birdlings Flat, the crew continued his route to Akaroa. The pilot made a low pass over the main street followed by a steep turn during which the aircraft stalled and crashed near houses, bursting into flames. Both crew were killed while two people on the ground were seriously injured.
Crew:
P/O F. M. McFarlane, pilot,
LAC J. L. McFadyen.

Crash of an Airspeed AS.10 Oxford I at RAF South Cerney

Date & Time: Jun 8, 1940
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
L4537
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
South Cerney - South Cerney
MSN:
4
YOM:
1937
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training flight out from RAF South Cerney. On final approach, the twin engine aircraft stalled, hit a hedge and crashed short of runway. Both pilots were slightly injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Stall on approach due to an insufficient speed.

Crash of an Airspeed AS.10 Oxford II at RAF Welbourn

Date & Time: Jun 1, 1940 at 1145 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
L4583
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Cranwell - Welbourn
MSN:
50
YOM:
1938
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a training flight from RAF Cranwell to RAF Welbourn. Following a wrong approach configuration, the aircraft landed too far down the runway. After touchdown, it was unable to stop within the remaining distance, overran, hit a hedge and came to rest. Both pilots were unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Wrong approach configuration on part of the crew.

Crash of an Airspeed AS.10 Oxford I in Queensferry: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 26, 1940
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N4731
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Sealand - Sealand
MSN:
2461
YOM:
1940
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a night training exercise out from RAF Sealand. While flying in the vicinity of the airbase, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed in a pasture located in Queensferry. Both crew members were killed.
Crew:
Sgt Peter William Roberson, pilot,
Sgt Thomas George Horsfield, pilot.

Crash of an Airspeed AS.10 Oxford I at RAF Sealand

Date & Time: Apr 1, 1940
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
L4569
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Sealand - Sealand
MSN:
36
YOM:
1938
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew (two student pilots and one instructor) were performing a training exercise out from RAF Sealand. During the takeoff run, the gear were retracted prematurely. The aircraft skidded on its belly, swerved and came to rest on the runway. While all three occupants were uninjured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Crew:
AC1 Henry E. Pugh,
Sgt John G. Stewart +1.
Probable cause:
Undercarriage prematurely retracted during the takeoff roll.

Crash of an Airspeed AS.10 Oxford I in Brize Norton

Date & Time: Mar 6, 1940
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
L4554
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
21
YOM:
1937
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to RAF Brize Norton, the twin engine aircraft impacted trees and crashed in a wooded area. Both crewmen were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Too low approach on part of the crew.

Crash of an Airspeed AS.10 Oxford I at RAF Bibury

Date & Time: Feb 21, 1940
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
L4607
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Bibery – South Cerney
MSN:
74
YOM:
1938
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff, while on initial climb, the aircraft impacted trees and crashed. Both occupants were injured and the aircraft was written off.

Crash of an Airspeed AS.10 Oxford I in Bridge of Buchat: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 31, 1940
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N6320
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Lossiemouth - Lossiemouth
MSN:
242
YOM:
1939
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew departed RAF Lossiemouth on a training mission on behalf of the 15 Flying Training School. In unknown circumstances, the twin engine airplane crashed in Bridge of Buchat, northeast of Strathdon. Both crewmen were killed.
Crew:
P/O Kenneth Raymond Wollatt Shrimpton, pilot,
AC1 Walter Critchley.

Crash of an Airspeed AS.10 Oxford I off RAF Montrose

Date & Time: Jan 23, 1940
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
L4669
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Montrose - Montrose
MSN:
136
YOM:
1938
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a local training mission for the 8th FTS at RAF Montrose. While cruising in the vicinity of the airbase, the aircraft went out of control and crashed into the sea. Both crewmen were rescued while the aircraft was lost.

Crash of an Airspeed AS.10 Oxford I at RAF Sealand

Date & Time: Jan 22, 1940
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
L4611
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Sealand - Sealand
MSN:
78
YOM:
1938
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a local training exercise on behalf of the 5th FTS based at RAF Sealand. After takeoff, the twin engine aircraft encountered problems to gain height and hit an obstacle located at the end of the runway before crashing on the ground. While both crewmen were injured, the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
The takeoff procedure was completed in icing conditions and the aircraft has not been deiced prior to departure.