Buckinghamshire

Flight Type:

Bombing

Survivors:

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Schedule:

Dishforth - Dishforth

MSN:

1704

YOM:

1940

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The airplane departed RAF Dishforth to bomb an oil storage depot located in Bec d'Ambès, about 22 km north of Bordeaux. While returning to its base and flying at an altitude of 1,500 feet, the airplane collided with the cables of a barrage balloon and crashed in Langley. All five crew members were killed.
Crew:
F/O Stanley Powell Swensen, pilot,
Sgt Anthony Kyle Dawson, pilot,
Sgt John Barrie O'Brien,
Sgt Laurence Paul Stubberfield, wireless operator,
Sgt Richard Albert William Tait, wireless operator.

Probable cause:

In-flight collision with the cables of a barrage balloon.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim IV in North Crawley: 3 killed

Date & Time: Aug 7, 1940 at 2235 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

P4902

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

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Schedule:

Upwood - Upwood

MSN:

9384

YOM:

1939

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The pilot’s instructions were to fly from Upwood to Bicester 53 miles, Bicester to Northampton, 25 miles and back to base 33 ½ miles. At a time when the aeroplane should have been near Northampton it was seen flying in an easterly direction 20 miles SE of the scheduled course and close to Cranfield Aerodrome where night flying was taking place. When opposite the wireless telegraphy station the machine was seen to stagger. Five seconds later at about 1500 feet and while still in flying position it lost speed and spun to the ground. The aeroplane struck the ground at a moderate speed and came to a stop pointing east, the engines were not at the time. From its position and the proximity of trees immediately behind it could be judged to have been flattening out, probably in a left hand spin. Fire occurred immediately and destroyed all the centre of the machine. All safety belts were burnt. One body was found in the navigator’s compartment and one in the gunner’s cockpit. The third, that of the pilot, was lying face down 72 yards east of the wreckage and he had evidently fallen from a considerable height. His parachute was unopened and was on the ground 4 feet away; the harness was free. The rip- cord had not been pulled. No parts broken or otherwise were found to show the circumstances under which he left the machine. The engines were extensively damaged by fire were stripped but appeared to have been in good order at the time of the accident. Examination of the pilot’s parachute harness showed that the release ring had not been turned and while in the locked position had been driven back by direct impact on the front. This had forced the spin- loaded plunger out through the aluminium casing and had released the catches and then the harness. From this it may be seen that the harness was in position on the pilot’s striking the ground.
Source:
http://www.rafupwood.co.uk/17otulosses.html
http://www.mackz.net/cm_samplearticles.htm#local%20hero

Probable cause:

The investigation concluded that the pilot may have lost his way, was trying to identify Cranfield aerodrome and on suddenly becoming aware of the risk of collision with the night flying machines stalled the aeroplane while climbing. Alternatively it was thought possible that on loosing sight of the aerodrome flares he lost control in the 'black-out'.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim IV in Whitchurch

Date & Time: Jul 28, 1940 at 0745 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

L4869

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Schedule:

Upwood - Upwood

MSN:

8884

YOM:

1939

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The pilot departed RAF Upwood on a solo training flight. An engine failed in flight, forcing the pilot to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft belly landed in an open field located in Whitchurch and was damaged beyond repair. The pilot P/O A. B. Smith was uninjured.

Probable cause:

Engine failure in flight.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson I in Grendon Underwood

Date & Time: Jul 25, 1940

Type of aircraft:

Avro 652 Anson

Operator:

Registration:

L7928

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While performing a night training mission, the crew encountered an unexpected situation and was forced to attempt an emergency landing in an open field. The aircraft crash landed and was damaged beyond repair while both pilots were unhurt.

Crash of a Vickers 290 Wellington I in Bletchley

Date & Time: Apr 14, 1940 at 2230 LT

Type of aircraft:

Vickers 290 Wellington I

Operator:

Registration:

L4390

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While on a night training exercise, the crew encountered engine problems and the pilot attempted to make an emergency landing in an open field. The aircraft belly landed and was damaged beyond repair while all eight crew members escaped uninjured.
Crew (215th Squadron):
P/O D. McIntosh, pilot,
LAC R. L. Raleigh,
P/O I. R. McDiarmid,
P/O J. L. Maude-Roxby,
Sgt R. H. Steel,
LAC J. L. Rowe,
LAC J. McIntyre
LAC L. Jones.

Probable cause:

Engine failure in flight.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim IV at RAF Halton

Date & Time: Jan 5, 1940

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

L8741

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Halton - Halton

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An engine failed just after takeoff. The pilot attempted an emergency landing in a field where the airplane crashed before coming to rest in a hedge. All three occupants were slightly injured.
Crew:
P/O Ian Stapledon +2.

Probable cause:

Engine failure after takeoff.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.52 Hampden I in Horsenden Manor: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 10, 1939

Type of aircraft:

Handley Page H.P.52 Hampden

Operator:

Registration:

P1267

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Schedule:

Upper Heyford - Upper Heyford

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The pilot departed RAF Upper Heyford on his first solo training sortie. While flying in poor visibility, he lost his bearings then the control of the aircraft that crashed in Horsenden Manor. The pilot was killed.
Crew:
P/O Charles Douglas Stevenson, pilot.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim IV in Stony Stratford

Date & Time: Dec 2, 1939

Type of aircraft:

Handley Page H.P.52 Hampden

Operator:

Registration:

L8868

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Schedule:

Bicester - Bicester

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The crew was forced to make an emergency landing in Stony Stratford. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and both occupants were injured.
Crew:
P/O T. C. McGillivray,
Sgt E. Evans.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.52 Hampden I in Widmer End: 4 killed

Date & Time: Nov 30, 1939 at 1157 LT

Type of aircraft:

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Registration:

L4203

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