Swinderby - Swinderby

On final approach to RAF Swinderby, at a height of 200 feet, the pilot-in-command decided to attempt a go around and increased engine power. The airplane reached the altitude of 400 feet when the right engine failed. Out of control, it dove into the ground and crashed in a field short of runway. Three crew members were killed while the fourth occupant was seriously injured.

Flight / Schedule

Swinderby - Swinderby

Aircraft

Vickers Varsity

Registration

WF373

MSN

532

Year of Manufacture

1951

Date

March 11, 1952 at 12:00 AM

Type

CRASH

Flight Type

Training

Flight Phase

Landing (descent or approach)

Crash Site

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Crash Location

Swinderby AFB Lincolnshire

Region

Europe • United Kingdom

Crash Cause

Technical failure

Narrative Report

On March 11, 1952 at 12:00 AM, Swinderby - Swinderby experienced a crash involving Vickers Varsity, operated by Royal Air Force - RAF, with the event recorded near Swinderby AFB Lincolnshire.

The flight was categorized as training and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

4 people were known to be on board, 3 fatalities were recorded, 1 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 75.0%.

Crew on board: 4, crew fatalities: 3, passengers on board: 0, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is technical failure. On final approach to RAF Swinderby, at a height of 200 feet, the pilot-in-command decided to attempt a go around and increased engine power. The airplane reached the altitude of 400 feet when the right engine failed. Out of control, it dove into the ground and crashed in a field short of runway. Three crew members were killed while the fourth occupant was seriously injured.

Aircraft reference details include registration WF373, MSN 532, year of manufacture 1951.

Fatalities

Total

3

Crew

3

Passengers

0

Other

0

Crash Summary

On final approach to RAF Swinderby, at a height of 200 feet, the pilot-in-command decided to attempt a go around and increased engine power. The airplane reached the altitude of 400 feet when the right engine failed. Out of control, it dove into the ground and crashed in a field short of runway. Three crew members were killed while the fourth occupant was seriously injured.

Cause: Technical failure

Occupants & Outcome

Crew On Board

4

Passengers On Board

0

Estimated Survivors

1

Fatality Rate

75.0%

Known people on board: 4

Operational Details

Schedule / Flight

Swinderby - Swinderby

Flight Type

Training

Flight Phase

Landing (descent or approach)

Crash Site

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Region / Country

Europe • United Kingdom

Aircraft Details

Aircraft

Vickers Varsity

Registration

WF373

MSN

532

Year of Manufacture

1951