L7863
Flight / Schedule
L7863
Aircraft
Vickers 416 Wellington ICRegistration
L7863
Operator
Royal Air Force - RAFDate
January 6, 1942 at 12:00 AM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Training
Flight Phase
Takeoff (climb)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Crash Location
Newmarket AFB Suffolk
Region
Europe • United Kingdom
Crash Cause
Technical failure
Narrative Report
On January 6, 1942 at 12:00 AM, L7863 experienced a crash involving Vickers 416 Wellington IC, operated by Royal Air Force - RAF, with the event recorded near Newmarket AFB Suffolk.
The flight was categorized as training and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.
10 people were known to be on board, 8 fatalities were recorded, 2 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 80.0%.
Crew on board: 10, crew fatalities: 8, passengers on board: 0, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is technical failure. The crew was engaged in a circular training flight from RAF Newmarket. Shortly after take off, in initial climb, one of the engine fired. The captain attempted to return to the airport but on final, the aircraft stalled, hit an embankment and crashed in flames on a building. Eight crew members were killed while two others were seriously injured. Crew (3rd ATG): F/Sgt Frederick Thomas Miniken, pilot, † Sgt Reginald Alfred Butcher, wireless operator, † Sgt M. T. Coon, wireless operator, Sgt Gerald Geoffrey Cornes, wireless operator and air gunner, † Sgt R. H. W. Lawrence, wireless operator, AC1 Thomas Menzies, flight engineer, † Sgt John Philpin Williams, wireless operator and air gunner, † Sgt Anthony John Browne, air gunner, † Sgt Albert David Matthews, air gunner, † Sgt Herbert Wolstenholme, air gunner. †
Aircraft reference details include registration L7863.
Fatalities
Total
8
Crew
8
Passengers
0
Other
0
Crash Summary
The crew was engaged in a circular training flight from RAF Newmarket. Shortly after take off, in initial climb, one of the engine fired. The captain attempted to return to the airport but on final, the aircraft stalled, hit an embankment and crashed in flames on a building. Eight crew members were killed while two others were seriously injured. Crew (3rd ATG): F/Sgt Frederick Thomas Miniken, pilot, † Sgt Reginald Alfred Butcher, wireless operator, † Sgt M. T. Coon, wireless operator, Sgt Gerald Geoffrey Cornes, wireless operator and air gunner, † Sgt R. H. W. Lawrence, wireless operator, AC1 Thomas Menzies, flight engineer, † Sgt John Philpin Williams, wireless operator and air gunner, † Sgt Anthony John Browne, air gunner, † Sgt Albert David Matthews, air gunner, † Sgt Herbert Wolstenholme, air gunner. †
Cause: Technical failure
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
10
Passengers On Board
0
Estimated Survivors
2
Fatality Rate
80.0%
Known people on board: 10
Operational Details
Operator
Royal Air Force - RAFFlight Type
Training
Flight Phase
Takeoff (climb)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Region / Country
Europe • United Kingdom
Aircraft Details
Aircraft
Vickers 416 Wellington ICRegistration
L7863
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