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Fermanagh

Crash of a Short S.25 Sunderland MR.5 at RAF Castle Archdale

Date & Time: Oct 30, 1956
Type of aircraft:
Short S.25 Sunderland
Operator:
Registration:
EJ153
Flight Phase:
Taxiing
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Location:
Castle Archdale AFB (Lisnarick)
Fermanagh
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Struck a rock while taxiing and was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Short S.25 Sunderland V off Enniskillen

Date & Time: May 31, 1948
Type of aircraft:
Short S.25 Sunderland
Operator:
Registration:
SZ574
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Enniskillen - Enniskillen
Location:
Enniskillen
Fermanagh
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During takeoff from Lough Erne off Enniskillen, the seaplane hit several waves in strong winds. The departure was interrupted and the aircraft came to rest. There were no casualties but the airplane was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Short S.25 Sunderland III near Irvinestown: 9 killed

Date & Time: Feb 11, 1945
Type of aircraft:
Short S.25 Sunderland
Operator:
Registration:
NJ183
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Castle Archdale - Castle Archdale
Location:
Irvinestown
Fermanagh
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
Few minutes after takeoff from RAF Castle Archdale, while climbing, an engine caught fire. The pilot lost control of the aircraft that crashed in a pasture located three miles east of Irvinestown. All 9 crew members were killed. They were engaged in a patrol mission.
Crew (423rd Squadron):
F/O James Robert Seeger, pilot,
F/O Terence Ramsay Hailstone, copilot,
F/Lt John David Ross, navigator,
F/O John Alexander McLennan, pilot,
F/O Charles Edward Cruickshank, flight engineer,
Sgt Philip Woollatt, wireless operator and air gunner,
Sgt Edward Frederick Knibbs, wireless operator and air gunner,
Sgt Morley Wilbee, air gunner,
Sgt Jack Gingrich, air gunner.
Probable cause:
Engine fire.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina near Enniskillen: 9 killed

Date & Time: Nov 26, 1944 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated PBY Catalina
Operator:
Registration:
JX252
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Location:
Enniskillen
Fermanagh
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
The crew was scheduled to land on the Lough Erne but due to a visibility reduced by foggy conditions, he misjudged Lake Navar with the Lough Erne. On approach, the seaplane hit a mountain and disintegrated. All nine crew members were killed.
Crew (131st OTU):
Sgt John Rew,
F/Sgt Noel George Edward Ladbrook,
Sgt Bernard Alfred Rosentreter,
Sgt Alfred Sonenthal,
W/O Reginald William Shallis,
Sgt David Henry Pidgeon,
Sgt Kenneth Percy West,
Sgt Edmond Thomas Crow,
Sgt James Pringle.

Crash of a Short S.25 Sunderland III near Enniskillen: 4 killed

Date & Time: Nov 20, 1944 at 2155 LT
Type of aircraft:
Short S.25 Sunderland
Operator:
Registration:
W4036
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Enniskillen - Enniskillen
Location:
Enniskillen
Fermanagh
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The crew was involved in a night circular training flight in Enniskillen. On approach, the seaplane overshot the flare path and eventually crashed in the Lough Erne, few hundred yards away from the airfield. While four crew members were injured, four others were killed.
Crew (201st Squadron):
F/L D. J. Dolphin, †
F/O D. H. Longland,
F/O Gleigh,
Sgt C. V. Ford,
F/O M. Alexander,
Sgt J. B. Green, †
Sgt E. Parry, †
Sgt J. B. Cummings. †

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina IIA in RAF Castle Archdale: 8 killed

Date & Time: Nov 20, 1944 at 0715 LT
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated PBY Catalina
Operator:
Registration:
JX242
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Location:
Castle Archdale AFB (Lisnarick)
Fermanagh
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
While on a training mission from RAF Castle Archdale, the aircraft went out of control and crashed. Eight crew members were killed while two others were injured.
Crew (202nd Squadron):
W/O Ernest Slack,
F/Sgt John William Geldert,
F/Lt George Vincent Forbes-Loyd,
Sgt Douglas William Nater,
F/Sgt Gordon Francis Tribble,
F/Sgt Peter Bryan Marshall,
Sgt Fred James Deem,
P/O William John Sharp.

Crash of a Short S.25 Sunderland III in Trory: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 19, 1944 at 1250 LT
Type of aircraft:
Short S.25 Sunderland
Operator:
Registration:
W6028
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Location:
Enniskillen
Fermanagh
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a training flight in the region of Enniskillen. While cruising at low altitude, the seaplane hit power cables, lost speed, stalled and crashed in an open field. Nine crew members were injured while the tenth occupant was killed. A day later, one of the survivor died from his injuries.
Crew (422nd Squadron):
Sgt Les Hebenton, †
Sgt Reginald Bodsworth. †

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina in Montgomery Rock: 3 killed

Date & Time: Apr 17, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated PBY Catalina
Operator:
Registration:
AH541
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Location:
Enniskillen
Fermanagh
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances in Montgomery Rock, in the region of Enniskillen. All three crew members were killed.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina in Lake Lough Erne: 7 killed

Date & Time: Jan 9, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated PBY Catalina
Operator:
Registration:
FP193
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Location:
Enniskillen
Fermanagh
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
In unknown circumstances, the float plane went out of control and crashed into the Lake Lough Erne, off the Boa Island, north of Enniskillen. All 7 occupants were killed.

Crash of a Short S.25 Sunderland I off Enniskillen: 5 killed

Date & Time: Nov 11, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Short S.25 Sunderland
Operator:
Registration:
DP181
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Location:
Enniskillen
Fermanagh
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
On landing on Lough Erne off Enniskillen, a bow split opened, causing the seaplane to sink. All five crew members were killed.
Crew (423rd Squadron):
W/O William D. Scott,
W/O Charles McDowell Hardcastle,
F/O Rowland W. Hill,
F/O Walter G. Arnold,
P/O Gordon I. Raymond.
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