Bovingdon – Thorney Island
Flight / Schedule
Bovingdon – Thorney Island
Aircraft
Vickers ValettaRegistration
WJ474
MSN
599
Year of Manufacture
22
Operator
Royal Air Force - RAFDate
January 6, 1954 at 05:20 PM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Military
Flight Phase
Takeoff (climb)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Crash Location
Bovingdon AFB Hertfordshire
Region
Europe • United Kingdom
Crash Cause
Human factor
Narrative Report
On January 6, 1954 at 05:20 PM, Bovingdon – Thorney Island experienced a crash involving Vickers Valetta, operated by Royal Air Force - RAF, with the event recorded near Bovingdon AFB Hertfordshire.
The flight was categorized as military and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.
17 people were known to be on board, 16 fatalities were recorded, 1 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 94.1%.
Crew on board: 4, crew fatalities: 4, passengers on board: 13, passenger fatalities: 12, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is human factor. The crew was flying back to his base at RAF Thorney Island after he took part to a rugby game at RAF Bovingdon. The departure was completed in poor weather conditions with low visibility due to snow falls. While climbing to a height of 400 feet, the pilot-in-command made a turn to the left when the aircraft hit trees and crashed in a wooded area located five miles north of the airfield. A passenger was seriously injured while 16 other occupants were killed. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact, except the rear part of the fuselage.
Aircraft reference details include registration WJ474, MSN 599, year of manufacture 22.
Fatalities
Total
16
Crew
4
Passengers
12
Other
0
Crash Summary
The crew was flying back to his base at RAF Thorney Island after he took part to a rugby game at RAF Bovingdon. The departure was completed in poor weather conditions with low visibility due to snow falls. While climbing to a height of 400 feet, the pilot-in-command made a turn to the left when the aircraft hit trees and crashed in a wooded area located five miles north of the airfield. A passenger was seriously injured while 16 other occupants were killed. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact, except the rear part of the fuselage.
Cause: Human factor
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
4
Passengers On Board
13
Estimated Survivors
1
Fatality Rate
94.1%
Known people on board: 17
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Bovingdon – Thorney Island
Operator
Royal Air Force - RAFFlight Type
Military
Flight Phase
Takeoff (climb)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Region / Country
Europe • United Kingdom
Aircraft Details
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