Country
code

Glamorgan

Crash of a De Havilland DH.104 Dove 2A in Cardiff: 4 killed

Date & Time: May 6, 1959
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
G-ALEC
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Cardiff - Cardiff
MSN:
04402
YOM:
1958
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The aircraft was taking part to an airshow at Cardiff Airport, carrying a crew of two and two passengers. While flying in the vicinity of the airfield, the airplane went out of control and crashed in unclear circumstances, killing all four occupants.
Probable cause:
It is believed the accident was the consequence of a pilot error.

Crash of a Bristol 170 Freighter 21 in Cowbridge: 4 killed

Date & Time: Mar 21, 1950
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
G-AHJJ
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Bristol - Bristol
MSN:
12742
YOM:
1946
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The aircraft was an MK.2 version and was recently converted to a 21 version. This flight was the second test one for the certification program. About 34 minutes after it left Bristol-Filton Airport, the airplane went out of control, dove into the ground and crashed in a field located in Cowbridge, south of Wales. All four occupants (three Bristol's engineers and one pilot) were killed.
Probable cause:
The accident was caused by a structural failure of the fuselage stern frame to which the fin was attached and must be attributed to the application on the fin and rudder of a load greater than the design ultimate load. Calculations suggested that the cause of this overloading was excessive rudder movement at a speed greater than 120 knots.

Crash of an Avro 689 Tudor 5 in RAF Llandow: 80 killed

Date & Time: Mar 12, 1950 at 1450 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
G-AKBY
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Dublin – Llandow
MSN:
1417
YOM:
1947
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
78
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
80
Circumstances:
The four engine aircraft was performing a charter flight from Dublin to RAF Llandow, carrying rugby fans who should attend a match between Ireland and Wales for the Five Nations Tournament. On final approach to RAF Llandow, at an altitude of 150 feet, the pilot increased power and the aircraft climbed to 300 feet and then adopted a 35° nose-up attitude. Out of control, it stalled and crashed in a field located 2,500 feet short of runway 28 threshold. All five crew members and 75 passengers were killed. Only three passengers were rescued, placing this tragedy as the most dramatic plane crash up to date.
Probable cause:
The loading conditions of the aircraft which gave a centre of gravity position too far aft and outside the limit in the relevant Certificate of Airworthiness and therefore insufficient elevator control under conditions of low speed and acute instability. Also, the pilot in command, aged 25, did not have sufficient experience, which was considered as a contributory factor.

Crash of a Vickers 474 Warwick V off Swansea: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 9, 1945 at 1500 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PN776
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Dunkeswell - Dunkeswell
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Enroute, both engines failed and the aircraft crashed into the Bristol Channel, off Swansea. A crew member was rescued by the crew of a boat while both other occupants were killed.
Crew (16th Flying Unit):
W/O Francis George Ford, †
W/O Paul William Lamy Hutchinson, †
W/O L. A. W Bell.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure.

Crash of a Bristol 152 Beaufort II at RAF Saint Athan

Date & Time: Nov 24, 1941
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
AW292
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Bristol - Saint Athan
MSN:
9970
YOM:
1941
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, departed Bristol-Filton Airport on a ferry flight to RAF St Athan. On final approach, both engines failed. The airplane lost height, clipped trees and crashed. The pilot was injured.
Crew:
P/O Jerzy Drewiecki, pilot.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure on approach.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson III on Mt Mynydd y Gael: 4 killed

Date & Time: Aug 20, 1941
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
T9442
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Saint Eval - Saint Eval
MSN:
414-2477
YOM:
1941
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The airplane departed RAF St Eval on a coastal command operation. While returning to base at night, the crew encountered poor visibility and lost his orientation. The twin engine airplane impacted the slope of Mt Mynydd y Gaer located northeast of Bridgend. All four crew members were killed.
Crew:
F/Sgt Cyril George Burchardt, pilot,
F/Sgt David John Muir, pilot,
F/Sgt John Michael Wheatley, wireless operator,
Sgt George Edwards Buckley, wireless operator.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson I off Swansea

Date & Time: Feb 24, 1941
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N9535
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Carew Cheriton - Carew Cheriton
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While on a sortie from RAF Carew Cheriton, the twin engine airplane crashed in unknown circumstances in the Bristol Channel off Swansea. All four crew members were rescued.