Crash of a Bristol 152 Beaufort I at RAF Turnberry: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 4, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
L4496
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Turnberry - Turnberry
MSN:
8357
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 training flight at RAF Turnberry. On final approach, one of the engine failed. The airplane stalled and crashed short of runway. Both crew members were killed.
Crew:
Sgt Francis Jonathan Henry Highmoor, pilot,
Sgt Douglas Burton St John Malcolm, wireless operator and air gunner.
Probable cause:
Engine failure on final approach.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson I on Mt Caisteal Abhail: 5 killed

Date & Time: Aug 2, 1942 at 1800 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
DJ472
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Wigtown - Prestwick
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The airplane departed RAF Wigtown on a training flight to Prestwick Airport, carrying a crew of five. En route, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with thunderstorm. In low visibility, the twin engine airplane impacted the slope of Mt Caisteal Abhail located in the northeast part of the Isle of Arran. All five crew members were killed.
Crew (1st AFU):
F/Lt Hugh Colin Campbell, pilot,
LAC Kenneth Whalley, pilot,
Sgt Henry Thomas Swain, wireless operator and air gunner,
Sgt Gordon Ralph Lewis, wireless operator and air gunner,
Sgt Reginald Richard Hinton.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a Short S.25 Sunderland III into the Firth of Clyde: 11 killed

Date & Time: Jul 31, 1942 at 1025 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
W4025
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Castle Archdale - Castle Archdale
Region:
Crew on board:
12
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Circumstances:
The seaplane departed RAF Castle Archdale at 0855LT on an anti submarine mission in the River Clyde. Approaching friendly vessels in limited visibility due to poor weather conditions, the airplane was mistakenly shot down by friendly fire and crashed into the sea. A crew member was rescued while 11 others were killed.
Crew:
F/Lt Walter Harry Wakefield, pilot, †
F/O James Robert Traill, †
F/Sgt Maurice John Tomley, †
P/O John Allen, †
Sgt Norman Williams, †
Sgt William Bluck, †
Sgt John Robert Goodings, †
Sgt Harry Scrace, †
Sgt Clifford Gurnet Fort, †
F/Sgt James Andrew Collins, †
Sgt Vivian Lewis, wireless operator and air gunner, †
Sgt Peter Wheatley.
Probable cause:
Mistakenly shot down by friendly fire while approaching British vessels in poor weather.

Crash of a Bristol 152 Beaufort I off Girvan: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 24, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
L4459
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Chivenor - Chivenor
MSN:
8320
YOM:
1939
Location:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a training sortie on behalf of the 5 OTU when the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea off Girvan. Sgt Jacob Lettersteid Smit was killed.

Crash of a Blackburn B-26 Botha I off Girvan: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 19, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
L6418
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Prestwick - Prestwick
Location:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The crew departed Prestwick Airport on a training mission on behalf of the 3rd Radio Direction Finding School. En route, an engine failed, forcing the pilot to ditch the airplane off Girvan. The radio operator sank with the aircraft and drowned. All three other occupants took refuge in a dinghy and were rescued three hours later.
Crew:
Sgt Arthur Richard Dipple, radio operator, †
Sgt R. Salisbury +2.
Probable cause:
Engine failure in flight.

Crash of a Bristol 152 Beaufort I off RAF Turnberry: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 17, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
L4515
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Turnberry - Turnberry
MSN:
8376
YOM:
1940
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot departed RAF Turnberry on a local solo training flight. The airplane failed to return to base and is believed to have crashed into the sea off the airbase. Lost without trace.
Crew:
Sgt Howard Roy Fidgin, pilot.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.89A Dragon Rapide near Dalmellington

Date & Time: Apr 20, 1942
Operator:
Registration:
BD143
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
6344
YOM:
1936
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While on a cross country flight out from RAF Hendon, an engine failed, forcing the pilot to attempt an emergency landing. Approaching a field located in Breston Farm, near Dalmellington, the airplane hit the ground so violently that the tail was sheared off. The aircraft came to rest and was damaged beyond repair while all eight occupants escaped slightly injured.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.

Crash of a Short S.29 Stirling I in Ayr

Date & Time: Mar 9, 1942 at 1735 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
W7452
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Lakenheath - Ayr
Location:
Region:
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The airplane departed RAF Lakenheath on a training mission to Ayr. After landing, it was wrecked at 1735LT after ground looping in order to avoid running through the boundary fence. A violent skid developed, during which one of the main oleo legs collapsed. All eight crew members escaped uninjured.
Crew:
Sgt A. Austin,
Sgt Lewis,
Sgt Robinson,
Sgt Heron,
Sgt Watkins,
Sgt Green,
Sgt Barritt,
Sgt Gwyther.

Crash of a Blackburn B-26 Botha I at RAF Turnberry: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 23, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
L6211
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Turnberry - Turnberry
MSN:
7866/8
YOM:
1940
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training exercise at RAF Turnberry on behalf of the 3rd Radio School. On final approach, the pilot-in-command initiated a go around procedure when one of the engine failed. The airplane stalled and crashed, bursting into flames. Three crew members were injured and a fourth was killed. The next day, one of the survivors died from injuries sustained.
Crew:
Sgt William Tyndall Sheppard, †
Sgt Esmond Elliott Browne, †
Sgt T. F. Mayho,
Sgt C. Balmain.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.

Crash of a Bristol 152 Beaufort I near Largs: 2 killed

Date & Time: Oct 27, 1941
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
L9817
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
8977
YOM:
1940
Location:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
While in a circuit for the Torpedo Range at Largs, the airplane impacted the ground and crashed. Two crew members were killed, a third was injured and a fourth was unhurt.
Crew:
Sgt Alan Jarrett, pilot, †
Sgt James Jack, wireless operator, †
Sgt J. Walters,
Sgt L. Bower.