Avro 679 Manchester

Operator:

Registration:

L7297

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Winthorpe - Winthorpe

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Circumstances:

The crew was engaged in a training exercise. During the takeoff roll, one of the engine failed. Pilots applied brakes but the airplane did not decelerate as expected. They immediately initiated an emergency braking procedure and, in order to prevent the airplane from overshooting the runway, decided to retract the landing gear. The airplane slid on its belly for few dozen metres before coming to rest. All seven crew members escaped uninjured and the airplane was damaged beyond repair.
Crew:
Sgt J. Clifford, pilot +6.

Probable cause:

Engine failure.

Crash of an Avro 679 Manchester IA at RAF Wigsley

Date & Time: May 17, 1943

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

L7491

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Wigsley - Wigsley

Location:

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Region:

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Circumstances:

During the takeoff roll at RAF Wigsley, the bomber swung then veered off runway and came to rest. There were no fatalities.
Crew:
P/O Anthony Walters, pilot,
Sgt C. Firth, pilot.

Crash of an Avro 679 Manchester I at RAF Swinderby

Date & Time: May 1, 1943

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

L7468

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

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Schedule:

Swinderby - Swinderby

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Circumstances:

The crew was performing a local training exercise at RAF Swinderby. On final approach, an engine caught fire and failed. The airplane crash landed short of runway and was destroyed. All crew members escaped unhurt.
Crew:
P/O James Leslie Cooper, pilot,
Sgt Terence Peter Murphy, pilot +3.

Probable cause:

Engine fire on approach.

Crash of an Avro 679 Manchester I at RAF Wigsley

Date & Time: Apr 15, 1943 at 1850 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

L7294

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Wigsley - Wigsley

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Circumstances:

The airplane departed RAF Wigsley at 1645LT on a cross country navigation exercise. Less than two hours later, one of the engine caught fire, forcing the crew to return to base. On final approach, the airplane stalled and crashed short of runway, bursting into flames. All seven crew members were injured and the aircraft was destroyed by fire.
Crew (1654 HCU):
Sgt William Hedley Eager, pilot,
Sgt T. D. Viggers,
Sgt H. T. Petts, navigator,
Sgt T. H. James,
Sgt F. R. Stone, wireless operator,
Sgt G. E. Hunnington,
Sgt Arthur Jones.

Probable cause:

Engine fire.

Crash of an Avro 679 Manchester I near RAF Swinderby: 3 killed

Date & Time: Apr 11, 1943 at 1850 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

R5841

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Swinderby - Swinderby

Location:

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Circumstances:

The crew was performing a local training flight at RAF Swinderby. While in the circuit and conducting landings, one of the engine caught fire. The pilot attempted an emergency landing when the airplane crashed near the River Brandt, bursting into flames. Three crew members were killed and three others were injured. The airplane was destroyed by fire.
Crew:
F/Lt Jack Martindale Whitwell, pilot, †
Sgt Robert Davies, flight engineer, †
Sgt H. M. Scott,
Sgt W. J. Robinson,
Sgt B. R. Traves,
Sgt Arthur James Brooks, air gunner, †

Probable cause:

Engine fire in flight probably caused by the failure of a hydraulic pipe.

Crash of an Avro 679 Manchester I at RAF Wigsley

Date & Time: Apr 4, 1943

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

L7291

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Wigsley - Wigsley

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Circumstances:

The crew was performing a local training flight at RAF Wigsley on behalf of the 1654 HCU. After touchdown, the airplane went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest, bursting into flames. All seven crew members escaped uninjured and the airplane was destroyed by fire.

Crash of an Avro 679 Manchester I at RAF Swinderby

Date & Time: Mar 24, 1943

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

L7453

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Swinderby - Swinderby

Location:

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Region:

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Circumstances:

Almost immediately after takeoff, one of the engines caught fire. The crew decided to land promptly while the landing gear have just been retracted. The airplane belly landed and skidded for few hundred metres before coming to rest. All seven crew members escaped uninjured while the airplane was damaged beyond repair.
Crew:
S/L Rupert Gordon Westley Oakley, pilot,
Sgt George Stanley Cole, copilot +5.

Probable cause:

Engine fire at takeoff.

Crash of an Avro 679 Manchester I at RAF Wickenby

Date & Time: Mar 12, 1943 at 1255 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

R5838

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Winthorpe - Winthorpe

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Circumstances:

The crew departed RAF Winthorpe to demonstrate feathering procedures, during which the port engine was shut down. While cruising at an altitude of 5,000 feet, the pilot attempted to restart the engine but the port propeller failed to unfeather. The crew was forced to divert to RAF Wickenby where the airplane overshot and crashed into a ditch, causing the starboard undercarriage to collapse. All five crew members escaped unhurt and the airplane was damaged beyond repair.
Crew:
W/O E. Knight, pilot +4.

Crash of an Avro 679 Manchester I at RAF Wickenby

Date & Time: Mar 12, 1943 at 1255 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

W5838

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Test

Survivors:

Site: