Crash of a De Havilland DH.89A Dragon Rapide at RAF Pengam Moors

Date & Time: Feb 15, 1941
Operator:
Registration:
AW115
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Saint Athan - Pengam Moors
MSN:
6258
YOM:
1934
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to RAF Pengam Moors in Cardiff, the twin engine airplane stalled and crashed in a pasture, bursting into flames. All four occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire.
Crew:
Sgt J. Kumela, pilot,
LAC Thomas Yardley, observer.
Passengers:
AC1 Douglas Cross,
ASO Joy Winifred Ord.

Crash of an Armstrong Whitworth AW.38 Whitley V near RAF St Athan

Date & Time: Dec 28, 1940 at 0200 LT
Operator:
Registration:
T4335
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Topcliffe - Topcliffe
MSN:
1968
YOM:
1940
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The airplane departed RAF Topcliffe at 1627LT on December 27 on an operation to Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport. While returning to base the following night, it crashed into a small copse near RAF St Athan. All five crew members evacuated safely.
Crew:
S/L B. V. Robinson,
Sgt E. B. Cahusac,
Sgt E. E. Welden,
Sgt J. C. Kesson,
Sgt K. Howard.
Probable cause:
At the time of the accident, the bomber was well east of its intended track. This was attributed to w/t failure and a very strong easterly wind.

Crash of a Vickers 416 Wellington IC on Mt Cefn yr Ystrad: 6 killed

Date & Time: Dec 9, 1940 at 0312 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
T2520
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Marham - Marham
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The airplane departed RAF Marham at 1715LT on December 8 on an operation to Bordeaux. While returning to base the following night, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and got lost. Believing flying over East Anglia, the pilot initiated the descent to RAF Marham when the airplane impacted the slope of Mt Cefn yr Ystrad located about 7 km northwest of Rhymney, Wales. The airplane disintegrated on impact and all six crew members were killed.
Crew:
P/O Albert Tindall, pilot,
Sgt David Mills, pilot,
Sgt Hylton Daniel Ellis, observer,
Sgt Stanley Gordon Howard, wireless operator,
Sgt Reginald Brown, air gunner,
Sgt David Ernest Wallace, air gunner.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.85 Leopard Moth off Lavernock Point

Date & Time: Nov 9, 1940
Operator:
Registration:
AW166
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
7012
YOM:
1934
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, ditched the airplane in the Bristol Channel off Lavernock Point. The pilot was rescued and the airplane was recovered but not repaired.

Crash of a Vickers 416 Wellington IC at RAF Llandow: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 12, 1940 at 1110 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
R1156
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Chester - Llandow
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, was completing a ferry flight from Chester to RAF Llandow. On final approach, the airplane struck a telephone pole and crashed in a nearby field located in Llysworney, less than two km north of the airfield. The pilot F/O Luis Goncelvis Fontes was killed.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim IF off Worm's Head: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jul 31, 1940
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
L1408
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Saint Athan - Saint Athan
MSN:
8691
YOM:
1939
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The airplane was engaged in a test flight out from RAF St Athan when it collided with a second RAF Blenheim registered L6722. Both aircraft went out of control and crashed into the Bristol Channel off Worm's Head, Wales. All six occupants in both aircraft were killed.
Crew:
Sgt Joseph Beckett Thompson, pilot,
AC2 Edward John Toy, mechanic.
Passenger:
Mr. D. M. Gordon.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim IV off Worm's Head: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jul 31, 1940
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
L6722
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Saint Athan - Saint Athan
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The airplane was engaged in a test flight out from RAF St Athan when it collided with a second RAF Blenheim registered L1408. Both aircraft went out of control and crashed into the Bristol Channel off Worm's Head, Wales. All six occupants in both aircraft were killed.
Crew:
Sgt Edward Waite, pilot,
Sgt Cecil James Richardson,
LAC Thomas Arthur Ward.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim IV off Cardiff: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jul 10, 1940 at 0300 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
R3637
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Thorney Island - Thorney Island
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The crew departed RAF Thorney Island on a training mission. In unknown circumstances, the aircraft into the sea off Cardiff. All three crew members were killed.
Crew:
P/O Alan Dunn Hopkin, pilot,
Sgt Thomas James Rowles,
Sgt James Falconer.

Crash of a Lockheed L-414 Hudson I on Mt Mynydd Maendy: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jan 7, 1940 at 1430 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N7256
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Saint Athan - Saint Athan
MSN:
414-1652
YOM:
1939
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The crew departed RAF St Athan to test a new Anti Surface Vessel system. En route, the airplane deviated from the prescribed route. While cruising in limited visibility due to low clouds, the airplane impacted the slope of Mt Mynydd Maendy located near Nant-y-Moel. All five occupants were killed.
Crew:
Sgt Francis Frederick Bousfield, pilot,
Sgt Frank Foster Hallam, pilot,
LAC Arthur Wilfred Smith, wireless operator and air gunner.
Passengers:
Robert Kyd Beattie, civilian contractor,
Peter Ingleby, civilian contractor.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.84 Dragon 2 off Cardiff: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jul 23, 1935
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
G-ACMP
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Cardiff - Saint-Hélier
MSN:
6063
YOM:
1934
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Cardiff Airport, while climbing, the twin engine aircraft named 'Saint Clements Bay' stalled and crashed in a muddy area located between the Bristol Channel and the shore. The pilot and two passengers were killed while five other occupants were injured.
Crew:
F/O John Grazebrook Mansfield, pilot. †
Passengers:
Roland Cecil Edbrooke, †
Harold Spencer Percival. †