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Bedfordshire

Crash of an Avro 19/2 in Luton

Date & Time: Apr 21, 1949
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
G-AIKM
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
1364
YOM:
1946
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Luton, the crew encountered an unknown technical problem and elected to return. The pilot in command realized this would not be possible so he reduced his altitude in an attempt to make an emergency landing. The twin engine aircraft belly landed in a pasture and skidded for several yards before coming to rest with the left engine sheared off. Both crew members were unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.80 Puss Moth in Eaton Bray

Date & Time: Aug 31, 1947
Registration:
G-ABYP
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
White Waltham – Eaton Bray
MSN:
2233
YOM:
1932
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On approach to Eaton Bray aerodrome, the single engine aircraft stalled and crashed in flames. Both occupants, among them the pilot and owner Joan Nayler, were quickly rescued and uninjured. The aircraft was destroyed by fire.
Source & photos: http://www.onthewire.co.uk/bray4.htm

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.63 Halifax V in Tetworth Hill: 9 killed

Date & Time: Jan 8, 1944 at 0115 LT
Operator:
Registration:
LK743
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Tempsford - Tempsford
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
The aircraft left RAF Tempsford at 2032LT on 07JAN1944 bound for Belgium on Operation Tybalt 3 and Thersites 4 with three Belgian agents on board. While returning to its base, on final approach by night, the aircraft went out of control and crashed in Tetworth Hill, less than 2 km short of runway. All ten occupants were killed.
Crew:
H. M. Kennedy,
T. S. Howlett,
V. A. E. Theedom,
S. Whiteley,
E. Thripp,
D. F. Davies,
P. S. Barlow.
Passengers:
Henri Verhaegen 2.
Probable cause:
According to the RAF, the loss of control on final approach was caused by the failure of the number one engine.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.89 Dominie I in RAF Cranfield: 5 killed

Date & Time: Nov 11, 1943
Operator:
Registration:
X7368
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Hucknall - Cranfield
MSN:
6528
YOM:
1941
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
On final approach to RAF Cranfield, the twin engine aircraft collided with a RAF Bristol Beaufighter registered R2252 and carrying a crew of three. Following the collision, both planes dove into the ground and crashed in flames in a field located few hundred yards short of runway threshold. All eight occupants on both aircraft were killed.
Crew of DH.89 Dominie I:
F/Lt Archibald Menzies Fitzrandolph, pilot.
Passengers:
F/Lt Ian Harper Courtney,
Sgt Eric Povey,
2nd Lt M. Schenker,
2nd Lt J. K. Peters.
Crew of Beaufighter:
F/Lt Michael William Kinmonth, pilot,
F/Sgt Lionel Maxwell Amesbury, pilot,
Cpl Jose Cecilia Hayes.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.57 Halifax II at RAF Tempsford

Date & Time: Jun 22, 1943 at 1100 LT
Operator:
Registration:
DT727
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Tempsford - Tempsford
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The airplane departed RAF Tempsford at 0955LT for dual conversion training. It landed off a three engined practice approach but swung violently and smashed into a hangar. Three crew members were injured.
Crew:
W/O Stanisław Chorąży Kłosowski, pilot,
F/O J. A. Krzehlik, bomb aimer,
F/Lt N. Matylis,

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.57 Halifax II at RAF Tempsford

Date & Time: Jun 19, 1943 at 1035 LT
Operator:
Registration:
W1229
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Tempsford - Tempsford
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The airplane departed RAF Tempsford at 1020LT for dual conversion flying practice. At 1035LT, the Halifax touched down in an extremely strong cross wind, bounced and came to a stop with its undercarriage collapsed. The airplane was damaged beyond repair and there were no casualties among the crew.
Crew:
W/O S. Klosowski, pilot,
F/O J. A. Krzehlik,
F/Sgt M. Rzewuski.
Probable cause:
Loss of control upon landing in strong cross winds.

Ground accident of a Douglas DB-7B Boston III at RAF Thurleigh

Date & Time: May 16, 1943
Operator:
Registration:
AL490
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Thurleigh - Thurleigh
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The airplane suffered an accident while taxiing at RAF Thurleigh and was damaged beyond repair. There were no fatalities.

Crash of a Vickers 440 Wellington X at RAF Twinwood Farm

Date & Time: Apr 16, 1943 at 2330 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HE745
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Croft - Croft
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The airplane departed RAF Croft at 2114LT on an operation to Mannheim. For unknown reasons, the crew was forced to return earlier and diverted to RAF Twinwood Farm where the airplane crashed upon landing and was wrecked. All five crew members were injured.
Crew:
Sgt B. K. Chambers, pilot,
F/Sgt R. Moore,
F/Sgt B. L. Owen,
Sgt L. H. McCormick,
Sgt B. H. Garoutte, air gunner.

Crash of Handley Page H.P.63 Halifax V at RAF Tempsford

Date & Time: Apr 13, 1943
Operator:
Registration:
DG409
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Tempsford - Tempsford
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a test flight at RAF Tempsford. The airplane crashed almost immediately after takeoff due to the failure of the port inner engine. All seven crew members escaped uninjured.
Crew:
F/O D. A. Cussens, pilot,
Sgt E. Jenner,
P/O Richards,
Sgt George,
F/O Cocker,
Sgt Whyte,
Sgt Betts.
Probable cause:
Loss of control after takeoff following the failure of the port inner engine.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim V in Ravensden: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 3, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
BA249
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Cranfield - Cranfield
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The airplane crashed in unknown circumstances in Ravensden, killing the pilot who was performing a solo training flight out from RAF Cranfield.
Crew:
F/Lt James Sibley Simons, pilot.