Rutland

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Schedule:

North Luffenham - North Luffenham

MSN:

16401/33149

YOM:

1945

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Circumstances:

The crew was completing a night training sortie in RAF North Luffenham. While flying in the vicinity of the airbase, the pilot inadvertently shot down both engines. The aircraft lost speed and height and the crew tried several times to restart the engine without success. In such situation, the captain decided to attempt an emergency landing. The airplane belly landed in a field near the airbase and slid for several yards before coming to rest in flames. While all three crew members were unhurt, the aircraft was destroyed by fire.

Probable cause:

Inadvertent shut down of both engines in flight on part of the crew.

Ground accident of a Douglas C-47B-40-DK Dakota C.4 in RAF North Luffenham

Date & Time: May 23, 1949

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

KN551

Flight Phase:

Taxiing

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

16830/33578

YOM:

1945

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Circumstances:

While holding for takeoff, the Dakota registered KN551 was hit by another RAF Dakota registered KJ810. The accident occurred in unclear circumstances and there were no injuries. While KJ810 was repaired, KN551 was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Vickers 619 Wellington X near RAF Cottesmore: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jun 5, 1947

Type of aircraft:

Vickers 619 Wellington X

Operator:

Registration:

NC474

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Handley Page H.P.63 Halifax VII

Location:

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Circumstances:

The crew was performing a training sortie when the aircraft went out of control, nosed down, lost several pieces and partially disintegrated in the air before crashing in a field located 6 miles east of RAF Cottesmore. All three crew members were killed.

Probable cause:

The exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty. Nevertheless, the loss of control might be the result of poor weather conditions or a structural or a mechanical failure.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.63 Halifax VI in RAF North Luffenham

Date & Time: May 17, 1947

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

PP373

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

North Luffenham - North Luffenham

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Circumstances:

During the takeoff roll, clear for rotation, the pilot lost directional control of the aircraft that overran and came to rest. There were no casualties but the aircraft was written off.

Probable cause:

Directional control was lost on takeoff due to a failure of the elevator control system caused by a wrong bolt type that was fixed.

Crash of an Avro 683 Lancaster III in RAF North Luffenham: 7 killed

Date & Time: Mar 18, 1946

Type of aircraft:

Avro 683 Lancaster

Operator:

Registration:

NG437

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Vickers 417 Wellington III

Schedule:

North Luffenham - North Luffenham

Location:

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Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, the aircraft encountered serious difficulties to gain height and was in a constant stall attitude, with nose up and tail down. The captain increased engine power but the aircraft lost height, hit the ground and crashed in a huge explosion. All seven crew members were killed.
Crew (1653 HCU):
Sgt Anthony Fredrick Barnard Blaikley,
W/O Reginald Thomas Nutting,
Sgt Anthony Bone,
F/Sgt Frank Keighley Dexter,
F/Sgt Alexander John Rossiter,
F/Sgt Alfred Albert Willis Thomas,
Sgt Thomas Edward Valler.

Probable cause:

The pilot was completing his first flight on this aircraft as a captain and probably put the elevators in a wrong setting at takeoff.

Crash of a Vickers 417 Wellington III near RAF Woolfox Lodge: 6 killed

Date & Time: Feb 26, 1943

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

BK268

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Bombing

Survivors:

Site:

Vickers 416 Wellington IC

Schedule:

Croft - Croft

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Circumstances:

The airplane departed RAF Croft at 1848LT on an operation to Cologne. While returning to base, it crashed near RAF Woolfox Lodge and was destroyed. Six crew members were killed and one was injured.
Crew:
Sgt George Rolling Taylor, pilot, †
F/Sgt Keith Lauchlan Campbell, †
Sgt John Emil Partos, †
Sgt Arthur Marlow, †
Sgt K. C. Smith,
Sgt Richard Hubert Lewis, air gunner. †

Probable cause:

Eye witnesses stated that one of the engines was on fire prior to the accident.

Crash of a Vickers 416 Wellington IC near RAF Cottesmore

Date & Time: Dec 2, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

L7850

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Landing (descent or approach)

Schedule:

Cottesmore - Cottesmore

Location:

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Circumstances:

The crew was engaged in a training mission at RAF Cottesmore. While cruising in the vicinity of the airbase, an engine caught fire and the crew attempted an emergency landing when the airplane crash landed in an open field. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and there were no fatalities among the crew from the 4th OTU.

Probable cause:

Engine fire in flight.

Crash of an Avro 683 Lancaster I at RAF North Luffenham

Date & Time: Oct 23, 1942 at 0500 LT

Type of aircraft:

Avro 683 Lancaster

Operator:

Registration:

W4278

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Bombing

Survivors:

Site:

Handley Page H.P.52 Hampden

Schedule:

Woodhall Spa - Woodhall Spa

Location:

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Circumstances:

The airplane departed RAF Woodhall Spa at 1713LT on October 22 on an operation to Genoa. While returning to base the following morning, it ran out of fuel and the pilot decided to divert to RAF North Luffenham. The Lancaster finished up in the overshoot area after running into an obstruction. The airplane was damaged beyond repair and all seven crew members escaped unhurt.
Crew:
S/L E. Coton, pilot,
Sgt A. R. Airy,
F/Lt R. Boddington,
Sgt M. H. Middleton,
Sgt A. O. Stafford,
F/Lt C. A Patton,
Sgt C. F. McMahon.

Probable cause:

Fuel exhaustion.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.52 Hampden I near RAF Cottesmore

Date & Time: Sep 14, 1942 at 0625 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

AD845

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Bombing

Survivors:

Site: