Lyneham AFB | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

On touchdown, the undercarriage collapsed. The aircraft slid on its belly for several yards before coming to rest. There were no casualties but the aircraft was written off. It is believed that the aircraft was under maintenance prior to this flight, and the technicians made some mistakes while checking the hydraulic systems. It is reported that on approach, the undercarriage could be lowered properly, but on touchdown, they collapsed because they were not locked.

Crash of an Avro 685 York I in RAF Lyneham

Date & Time: Apr 11, 1946

Type of aircraft:

Avro 685 York

Operator:

Registration:

MW180

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Lyneham - Lyneham

MSN:

MW180

YOM:

1945

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The crew was engaged in a training sortie at RAF Lyneham on behalf of the 511th Squadron. Just after liftoff, while in initial climb, the captain decided to land for unknown reason. The aircraft hit the runway surface, lost all its undercarriage and slid for several yards before coming to rest. There were no casualties but the aircraft was written off. The reason why the captain decided to land immediately after rotation remains unknown.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3 Dakota III into the Atlantic Ocean: 4 killed

Date & Time: Dec 25, 1943

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-3

Operator:

Registration:

FD903

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Lyneham – Gibraltar

MSN:

9625

YOM:

1943

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The aircraft left RAF Lyneham at 2230LT on a transit flight to Gibraltar but failed to arrive. No trace of the aircraft nor the crew was found and it is believed it crashed into the Atlantic Ocean or the Bay of Biscay.
Crew (512th Squadron):
W/Cdr Patrick E. Hadow,
F/O R. L. Hammill,
LAC Charles W. Summers,
W/O Cyril Frederick Dean Steel.

Crash of a Short S.29 Stirling III at Lyneham AFB

Date & Time: Mar 22, 1943

Type of aircraft:

Short S.29 Stirling

Operator:

Registration:

BK667

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Bombing

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Bourn - Bourn

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The airplane departed RAF Bourn at 1928LT on an operation to Saint-Nazaire. It turned back following major problems with the starboard outer and port inner engines. While trying to land at RAF Lyneham in poor visibility, the Stirling overshot and came down in a field. All eight crew members escaped uninjured.
Crew:
F/Lt J. L. Shiells, pilot,
Sgt G. K. Compson,
Sgt B. Taaffe,
Sgt C. B. Perring,
Sgt L. A. James,
Sgt J. Gould,
Sgt B. J. A. Bessette,
Sgt D. J. A. Hyde, air gunner.

Probable cause:

Double engine failure.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.57 Halifax II into the Bay of Biscay: 10 killed

Date & Time: Feb 3, 1943

Type of aircraft:

Handley Page H.P.57 Halifax II

Operator:

Registration:

DT503

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Lyneham - Gibraltar

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The airplane departed RAF Lyneham on a flight to Gibraltar. It failed to arrive at destination and is believed to have crashed somewhere into the Bay of Biscay, maybe in the Atlantic Ocean. Lost without trace.
Crew:
Sgt Raymond Francis Connor, pilot,
Sgt James Allan,
Sgt Jack Brown,
Sgt Donald John William Buttery,
Sgt Donald Owen Colwell Culshaw,
Sgt Leslie Fox,
F/O William James Hart,
Sgt Joseph Henry Maudson,
Sgt Charles Stubbs,
Sgt Geoffrey Templeton.

Crash of a Consolidated LB-30 Liberator near Cadiz

Date & Time: Dec 15, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Consolidated LB-30 Liberator

Operator:

Registration:

AL513

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Lyneham - Gibraltar

MSN:

011

YOM:

1941

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Approaching Cadiz, the airplane suffered an engine fire. The pilot reduced his altitude and made an emergency landing. The airplane was damaged beyond repair and all 11 crew members were rescued.
Crew:
F/Sgt J. L. O'Sullivan,
F/Sgt B. Clifton,
Sgt W. N. Judd,
Sgt W. M. Davey,
Sgt V. E. Whitehall,
Sgt G. A. McGregor,
Sgt C. H. Pearson,
Sgt A. Webber,
Cpl K. Burton,
Cpl A. Agar,
Ac1 R. Walker.

Probable cause:

Engine fire in flight.

Crash of a Consolidated LB-30 Liberator at RAF Lyneham: 5 killed

Date & Time: Nov 4, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Consolidated LB-30 Liberator

Operator:

Registration:

AL595

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Prestwick - Lyneham

MSN:

YOM:

1941

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The airplane departed Prestwick on a flight to RAF Lyneham following technical modifications. On final approach to RAF Lyneham at night, the airplane descended too low, collided with trees and crashed in a field, bursting into flames. All five crew members were killed.
Crew:
F/Lt George John Le Mar, pilot
F/O Samuel Alexander Bruce Gordon, copilot,
F/O John Henry Fuller, navigator,
F/O Deiniol Davies, wireless operator,
Sgt Gilbert Henry Gregg, air gunner.

Probable cause:

Pilot error.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim I at RAF Lyneham

Date & Time: Oct 28, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Bristol 142 Blenheim

Operator:

Registration:

L1316

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Lyneham - Lyneham

MSN:

8599

YOM:

1938

Location:

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Circumstances:

The airplane suffered an engine failure at takeoff and crash landed. There were no casualties.

Probable cause:

Engine failure at takeoff.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim IV near White Waltham: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 29, 1941

Type of aircraft:

Bristol 142 Blenheim

Operator:

Registration:

V6263

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Liverpool - Lyneham

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Circumstances:

The pilot departed Liverpool-Speke Airport on a flight to RAF Lyneham. En route, the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances near RAF White Waltham. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Crew:
F/O Robert Serge Loewenstein, pilot.