Powys | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The airplane departed Brussels-Evere Airfield on an operation to Bath. After passing Bristol and while over Wales, it was shot down by a British fighter and crashed in Hundred House. Two crew members were killed and two others became PoW.
Crew:
Oblt Guenter Brixius, pilot, †
Ofw Fritz Kreienbrock, navigator,
Ogfr Paul Kochon, radio operator,
Fw Adolf Leibig, air gunner. †

Probable cause:

Shot down by a British fighter.

Crash of an Airspeed AS.10 Oxford I near Sychnant Pass: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 3, 1941

Type of aircraft:

Airspeed AS.10 Oxford

Operator:

Registration:

N4568

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Shawbury - Shawbury

MSN:

2408

YOM:

1940

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Captain / Total flying hours:

Captain / Total hours on type:

3.00

Circumstances:

The pilot departed RAF Shawbury on a solo training flight. While cruising in poor visibility due to low clouds and foggy conditions, the airplane impacted the slope of a mountain located near the Sychnant Pass, bursting into flames. The pilot was killed.
Crew:
LAC Thomas William Gurnell, pilot.

Probable cause:

Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a Vickers 416 Wellington IC in Rhos Fawr

Date & Time: Dec 10, 1940

Type of aircraft:

Vickers 416 Wellington IC

Operator:

Registration:

L4230

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

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Schedule:

Harwell - Harwell

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Circumstances:

While returning to base at night, the crew encountered severe icing conditions, causing an engine to stop. The captain reduced his altitude and attempted a wheels up landing on Rhos Fawr, Wales. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair in the emergency landing and all six crew members were rescued.
Crew:
S/L G. Learner,
Sgt Earl,
Sgt Doull,
Sgt Martin,
Sgt Mullen,
Sgt Morley.

Probable cause:

Icing.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson I near Llanwrthwl: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jul 9, 1940 at 2330 LT

Type of aircraft:

Avro 652 Anson

Operator:

Registration:

N5019

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Circumstances:

While flying at night in poor weather conditions, the twin engine aircraft impacted the slope of Mt Y Gamrhiw located near Llanwrthwl, Wales. Four occupants were killed while a passenger was injured.
Crew (15th OTU):
AC2 Thomas Colvin Watson, pilot, †
Sgt Christopher Joseph Dent, observer, †
Sgt Arthur Williams, wireless operator, †
Sgt Hugh Hannan, wireless operator and air gunner, †
Sgt A. C. Smith.

Probable cause:

The board of inquiry determined that the cause of the accident was attributed to a navigation error following wrong information transmitted by ground observer.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson I in Ystradgynlais: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 17, 1939

Type of aircraft:

Avro 652 Anson

Operator:

Registration:

L9149

Flight Phase:

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Schedule:

Ansty - Cardiff

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Circumstances:

The twin engine aircraft was performing a training exercise on behalf of the RAF Ansty Flying School located near Coventry, with two passengers and a crew of two on board. While cruising in poor weather conditions, the aircraft hit the slope of Mt Fan Brycheiniog located some 20 km northeast of Swansea. While both passengers were injured, both crew members were killed.
Crew:
F/O E. R. N Coombes, pilot,
M. Mabbott, pilot.
Passengers:
John McDonald,
Leonard Priscott.

Probable cause:

It appears that the crew lost his orientation while flying in poor weather conditions.