Hebrides Islands

The airplane departed Stornoway Airfield at 1450LT on a navigation and consumption exercise. While cruising at an altitude of 1,000 feet north of the St Kilda Archipelago, the crew encountered marginal weather conditions with clouds and rain. In limited visibility, the airplane impacted the slope of a mountain located on the Isle of Soay. SAR operations were initiated but eventually suspended as no trace of the airplane nor the crew was found. Initially, it was believed that the airplane crashed into the sea. In 1978, the wreckage was found on the island. All six crew members were killed.
Crew:
Sgt Ralph Spencer, pilot,
Sgt George Bowman Stewart, pilot,
F/Sgt Vincent Harold Knutson, navigator,
Sgt William Day, wireless operator,
Sgt George Wilfred Turley, air gunner,
Sgt William Victor Charles Alston, air gunner.

The crew of the aircraft had been on an operational patrol, carrying out a parallel track search, from Bowmore of the sea area RU58, having taken off at 0724LT. The sea state at Bowmore was not ideal that day and it was expected that after dark it would be too rough to land aircraft. The original ETA back at Bowmore for DV979 had been 1810LT which being just before last light and it was decided by Flying Control not to divert the crew to Lough Erne in Northern Ireland. At 1700LT the situation was reviewed and the flare path was laid in the calmest area of water available should the aircraft arrive a little late. Shortly after the crew made contact with Bowmore stating that they would be 50 minutes late, at this point they were told that if they had sufficient fuel they were to divert to Lough Erne. However at the time the aircraft was contacted they only had some 45 minutes fuel remaining and were unable to divert. At 1926LT, over a hour late and in near complete darkness, DV979 arrived back overhead at Bowmore. The flare path was ignited and Capt Lever was told that he could not overshoot his landing as the landing area finished close to where other aircraft were moored. He then warned his crew to expect a rough landing and gathered them in the upper deck around the cockpit.After gathering the crew Capt Lever and P/O Johnston began their approach overland from the north, intending to cross the northern shore of Loch Indaal at 200 feet and touch down as soon as possible. While approaching the coast the port float struck a building near the shore and the aircraft crashed a short distance beyond it. A fire quickly took hold and the crew began to evacuate the aircraft, at least nine had survived the crash. Captain Lever was spotted by Sgt Hogg wandering on the shore ahead of the aircraft and he called to Sgt Williams that they should go and get him. As the two Sergeants reached their Captain, about 30 yards away, the aircraft's Depth Charges detonated destroying the aircraft and killing outright the men who were still around the wreck to help pull trapped colleagues from the aircraft.
Crew (246th Squadron):
Cpt Eric John Lever, pilot,
P/O Wallace Arthur Johnston, pilot, †
Sgt Walter Eric Charles Heath, navigator, †
Sgt George Charles Major, bomb aimer, †
Sgt George Hogg, wireless operator and air gunner,
Sgt Roy John Jabour, wireless operator and air gunner, †
Sgt Ernest Geoff Palmer,wireless operator and air gunner, †
Sgt Henry John Tasker, wireless operator and air gunner, †
Sgt George Cyril Phillips, air gunner, †
Sgt John Ivor Williams, flight mechanic,
Sgt William Simpson, flight mechanic, †
Sgt Douglas Howarth, flight engineer. †
Source:
http://www.peakdistrictaircrashes.co.uk/pages/scotland/scotlanddv979.htm

The airplane departed RAF Benbecula on maritime patrol mission. Shortly after takeoff, while climbing, it went out of control and crashed into the sea. All seven crew members were killed.
Crew:
Sgt John Owen, pilot,
Sgt Bob Hildred,
Sgt Eric Crowe,
Sgt Rupert Bentley,
Sgt Bill Parnell,
Sgt Walter Shanks,
Sgt Garfield Wilson.

The crew was performing a training flight out from RAF Turnberry when he became lost and was forced to make an emergency landing. The airplane crash landed on the Isle of Skye and was damaged beyond repair. Two crew members were injured and two others escaped unhurt.
Crew:
Sgt J. A. Forbes,
Sgt P. E. Harding,
Sgt R. W. J. Sinnock,
Sgt H. G. Ross.

The airplane was engaged in a training mission on behalf of the 3rd Radio Direction Finding School. For unknown reasons, it went out of control and crashed into the Saligo Bay located on the west coast of the Isle of Islay. All four crew members were killed.
Crew:
Sgt Robert Burges,
Sgt Robert Clifford Hutton,
P/O Frederick William Roe,
Sgt William Arthur Smith.

On final approach to Stornoway, the aircraft was too low and hit a sand dune located few yards short of runway threshold and came to rest. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair but there was no casualties.

The floatplane was returning to Oban following an overhaul at Helensburgh. Approaching Oban, the crew encountered marginal weather conditions and decided to delay the landing and to complete a circuit south of the destination. While cruising in clouds, the airplane impacted the slope of Mt Cruach na Seilcheig located on the north side of the Isle of Jura. The wreckage was found the following day. A crew member was found alive while seven other occupants were killed.
Crew:
S/L Patrick Stuart Hutchinson, pilot, †
P/O Edward Ruxton Pinches, pilot, †
Sgt Edwin Cyril Graham, wireless operator, †
Cpl James Calder Kinniard, †
Cpl Tudor Simner-Jones, †
LAC Charles Arthur Kew, †
AC1 Ronald Fearnley, †
AC1 J. Kelly.

Crashed upon landing at Stornoway Airport, Lewis Island. There were no casualties.

While completing a supply mission, the twin engine aircraft crashed upon landing at Stornoway Airport and was damaged beyond repair. Both crew members were uninjured.

The single engine airplane crashed for unknown reasons while taking off from Isle of Islay Aerodrome south of Bowmore. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was injured.