Swinderby - Swinderby

On March 13, 1954 at 12:00 AM, Swinderby - Swinderby experienced a crash involving Vickers Varsity, operated by Royal Air Force - RAF, with the event recorded near Syerston AFB Nottinghamshire.

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, 4 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.

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

The listed crash cause is human factor. The crew left RAF Swinderby for a local training mission. Enroute, weather conditions worsened and the crew was instructed to divert to RAF Syerston. Few minutes later, the pilot encountered technical problems with the left engine that was shot down and its propeller feathered. On final approach to RAF Syerston, the pilot was forced to make a go around for unknown reason. During its second attempt to land, the aircraft was seen to fly over the airbase at low height with its landing gear down. Suddenly, it bank left and crashed in a field located two miles from the airbase. The aircraft was destroyed and all four crew members were killed. Crew (201st Advanced Flying School): Sgt G. E. Cheesley, pilot, Sgt P. C. Leach, pilot, P/O M. W. Clarke, navigator, Sgt L. J. Herbert, signaller.

Aircraft reference details include registration WF327, MSN 519, year of manufacture 1951.