Newquay-Saint Mawgan - Newquay-Saint Mawgan

On June 3, 1984 at 11:07 AM, Newquay-Saint Mawgan - Newquay-Saint Mawgan experienced a crash involving BAe Nimrod, operated by Royal Air Force - RAF, with the event recorded near Newquay-Saint Mawgan AFB Cornwall.

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

13 people were known to be on board, 0 fatalities were recorded, 13 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 0.0%.

Crew on board: 13, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 0, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is other causes. The Nimrod aircraft took off on an exercise Search and Rescue (SAR) sortie from its base at RAF St Mawgan. It was carrying in the bomb bay, as part of the SAR equipment, a normal load of 5 inch reconnaissance flares. In accordance with normal practice, the first navigator switched the flare's release units to live shortly after takeoff. Some 30 seconds later a cockpit indicator warned the crew of a fire in the bomb bay. The captain immediately instructed the co-pilot to fly the aircraft back to base while he transmitted a MAYDAY call and informed the rest of the crew. During the return flight ground witnesses saw the Nimrod trailing smoke, with several burning flares, a parachute and other objects falling from the aircraft. The aircraft landed safely. Although the fire services quickly extinguished the intense fire, the aircraft was extensively damaged.

Aircraft reference details include registration XV257, MSN 8032, year of manufacture 1970.