Exeter | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The airplane departed Exeter Airport on a mine laying operation but was forced to return earlier because GCI was unable to take control. On final approach at night, the pilot descended too low when the airplane collided with an embankment and crashed short of runway. The airplane was destroyed and both crew members were injured.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim I in Topsham: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 9, 1941

Type of aircraft:

Bristol 142 Blenheim

Operator:

Registration:

L1123

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Exeter - Exeter

MSN:

8406

YOM:

1938

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The pilot departed RAF Exeter on a solo training flight. While cruising south of Exeter, the airplane suffered an engine fire, entered a dive and crashed in Topsham. The pilot Sgt Frank Morton was killed.

Probable cause:

Engine fire in flight.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.84A Dragon in Saint Wenn

Date & Time: Nov 28, 1940

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.84 Dragon

Operator:

Registration:

AW170

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Saint Eval - Exeter

MSN:

6018

YOM:

1933

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En route from RAF St Eval to Exeter, the pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed in a field in St Wenn, east of RAF St Mawgan. The pilot was injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Crew:
P/O Konrad Stembrowicz.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.42W in Tiverton

Date & Time: Nov 7, 1939

Type of aircraft:

Handley Page H.P.42

Operator:

Registration:

G-AAXD

Flight Phase:

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Schedule:

Paris - Exeter

MSN:

HP.42/6

YOM:

1930

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The aircraft was returning to Exeter after its crew dropped off Royal Air Force Command' staffs in Paris. While flying over Devon in marginal weather conditions, the crew was unable to locate the airport of Exeter nor to fix his position with certainty. Eventually, the captain decided to reduce his altitude and attempted an emergency landing on the Tiverton Golf course when on final, the aircraft impacted two trees and crashed. All three occupants were injured and the aircraft named 'Horatius' was destroyed.