Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim I at RAF East Fortune

Date & Time: Jul 7, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Bristol 142 Blenheim
Operator:
Registration:
L6732
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
East Fortune - East Fortune
Location:
East Fortune AFB
East Lothian (Haddingtonshire)
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
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 at RAF East Fortune. During the takeoff roll, a tyre burst. The airplane swerved on runway then lost its undercarriage and came to rest, bursting into flames. Both crew members escaped unhurt.
Probable cause:
Loss of control during the takeoff roll after a tyre burst.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.95 Hertfordshire near Great Ouseburn: 11 killed

Date & Time: Apr 30, 1942
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.95 Flamingo
Operator:
Registration:
R2764
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
East Fortune - Hendon
MSN:
95003
YOM:
1940
Location:
Great Ouseburn
Yorkshire
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Captain / Total flying hours:
3755
Circumstances:
The object of the flight was to take four Russian Military Officers on a tour of inspection. The aircraft had earlier in the day flown from Hendon to Kirton-of-Tealing and thence to East Fortune. It was refueled at Tealing and was not serviced in any way at East Fortune. At 1625LT the captain took off from RAF East Fortune to fly back to Hendon. When approximately 3 ½ miles north of Great Ouseburn, York’s and flying at a height of about 2,000 feet, a defect developed in the starboard engine which caused n°7 cylinder to become detached from the crankcase. A fire broke out almost immediately in the neighborhood of the starboard engine nacelle and was of sufficient intensity to cause the starboard wing to break off at a point just outboard of the engine bearers and also to cause the starboard engine to break away. The fuselage, port wing, port engine and port undercarriage unit fell to the ground and burst into flames. All 10 occupants were killed.
Crew:
P/O I. Ramsey, pilot,
Sgt J. B. Smith, observer,
F/Sgt A. J. Stripp, radio operator,
Lac J. Lewis, fitter.
Passengers:
S/L K. W. Edwards,
F/Lt F. W. Wilton,
Col Pugatchev,
Maj Asyamov,
Maj P. Baranov,
Maj B. Shvetsov.
Probable cause:
The cause of the accident was failure of the starboard engine. The reason for this cannot be stated with certainty but the evidence suggests that n°6 piston failed first and that this was followed by a rapid internal break up resulting in the knocking off of n°7 cylinder. This was followed by fire in the engine nacelle which quickly became very intense – probably as a result of the explosion of a wing fuel tank. The starboard wing then broke off and the engine fell out. The fuselage and tailplane were struck by some part of the detached wing or by the engine.
- There was no evidence that the servicing of this aircraft had been inadequate.
- There was no evidence to suggest sabotage.
- The pilot was experienced and fully qualified to carry out this flight.
- Apart from this accident and one in October 1940 (Hertfordshire R.2510), the D.H.95 seems to have a good record.
Final Report:

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim I at RAF East Fortune

Date & Time: Apr 15, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Bristol 142 Blenheim
Operator:
Registration:
L6754
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
East Fortune - East Fortune
Location:
East Fortune AFB
East Lothian (Haddingtonshire)
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
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 mission at RAF East Fortune. During a night approach, the airplane impacted ground and crashed short of runway. Both crew members were rescued.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim I in Longyester: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 8, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Bristol 142 Blenheim
Operator:
Registration:
Z5871
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
East Fortune - East Fortune
Location:
Longyester
East Lothian (Haddingtonshire)
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew departed RAF East Fortune on a local training flight. After takeoff, the airplane entered a dive and crashed in a field located in Longyester, some 13 km south of RAF East Fortune. Both pilots were killed.
Crew:
Sgt Robert Wright Hunter, pilot,
Sgt Stuart Bruce Moffitt, pilot.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim I at RAF East Fortune

Date & Time: Mar 1, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Bristol 142 Blenheim
Operator:
Registration:
L1324
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
East Fortune - East Fortune
MSN:
8607
YOM:
1938
Location:
East Fortune AFB
East Lothian (Haddingtonshire)
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The pilot departed RAF East Fortune on a local solo training exercise. Shortly after liftoff, the airplane suffered an engine failure and crashed. The pilot was injured.
Crew:
Sgt R. Tidy, pilot.
Probable cause:
Engine failure upon takeoff.
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