Reykjavik - Wick
Flight / Schedule
Reykjavik - Wick
Registration
11062
MSN
CV-373
Operator
Royal Canadian Air Force - RCAFDate
July 27, 1944 at 12:00 AM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Flight Phase
Flight
Crash Site
Mountains
Crash Location
Foula Island Shetland (Zetland)
Region
Europe • United Kingdom
Crash Cause
Human factor
Narrative Report
On July 27, 1944 at 12:00 AM, Reykjavik - Wick experienced a crash involving Canadian Vickers PBV-1 Canso (OA-10 Canso), operated by Royal Canadian Air Force - RCAF, with the event recorded near Foula Island Shetland (Zetland).
The flight was categorized as survey / patrol / reconnaissance and the reported phase was flight at a mountains crash site.
8 people were known to be on board, 7 fatalities were recorded, 1 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 87.5%.
Crew on board: 8, crew fatalities: 7, passengers on board: 0, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is human factor. The crew left Reykjavik on an anti-submarine patrol flight over the North Atlantic, and was scheduled to arrive at Wick Airport. On approach to Scotland, the crew encountered foggy conditions and the captain decided to divert to Stornoway. Shortly later, the seaplane hit a mountain on the Foula Island, off the Shetland archipelago. Seven crew members were killed while one occupant was seriously injured. Crew (162nd Squadron): WO2 Robert Densmore Harvey, † F/S Elliott Courtney Watson, WO2 John H. Knight, † F/S Robert Wilford Ernest Townsend, † F/O Abram Hildebrand, † F/O Willis Hilson Lloyd, † F/O George Gordon Bradshaw, † P/O James Edwin Bowler. † Source: http://www.canso11062.mikeharvey.ca/
Aircraft reference details include registration 11062, MSN CV-373.
Fatalities
Total
7
Crew
7
Passengers
0
Other
0
Crash Summary
The crew left Reykjavik on an anti-submarine patrol flight over the North Atlantic, and was scheduled to arrive at Wick Airport. On approach to Scotland, the crew encountered foggy conditions and the captain decided to divert to Stornoway. Shortly later, the seaplane hit a mountain on the Foula Island, off the Shetland archipelago. Seven crew members were killed while one occupant was seriously injured. Crew (162nd Squadron): WO2 Robert Densmore Harvey, † F/S Elliott Courtney Watson, WO2 John H. Knight, † F/S Robert Wilford Ernest Townsend, † F/O Abram Hildebrand, † F/O Willis Hilson Lloyd, † F/O George Gordon Bradshaw, † P/O James Edwin Bowler. † Source: http://www.canso11062.mikeharvey.ca/
Cause: Human factor
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
8
Passengers On Board
0
Estimated Survivors
1
Fatality Rate
87.5%
Known people on board: 8
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Reykjavik - Wick
Operator
Royal Canadian Air Force - RCAFFlight Type
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Flight Phase
Flight
Crash Site
Mountains
Region / Country
Europe • United Kingdom
Aircraft Details
Similar Plane Crashes
Handley Page Aircraft Company Ltd
Handley Page V/1500
Assembled at Cricklewood Airfield in May 1918, the aircraft departed Cricklewood for its 13th test flight, carrying six crew members. Shortly after takeoff, while climbing to a height of about 700-800 feet, all four engines stopped. The pilot elected to return for an emergency landing when the aircraft stalled and crashed in a field located in front of 21 Garrick Avenue in Golders Green, bursting into flames. Colonel Ogilvie, who was seating in the tail gunner position at the back of the plane, survived, while all five other occupants were killed. Crew: Cpt Vernon Earl George Busby, pilot, † Mr. Bertram G. Cooper, † Mr. R. P. Cooper, † Mr. W. H. Hathaway, † Mr. J. W. Windebank, † Colonel Ogilvie.
Marine Aeroplane Depot
Fairey III
The pilot departed Isle of Grain on a delivery flight to Glasgow-Renfrew Airport. On approach to RAF Usworth (RAF Hylton), he elected to make a go-around when the aircraft lost height and crashed. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, Captain Arthur Leslie Simms, was killed.
Royal Air Force - RAF
De Havilland DH.6
The crew was completing a local training flight at RAF Seaton Carew when the aircraft entered a spin and crashed in a field, bursting into flames. Both occupants were killed. Crew: Cpt Charles David Danby, pilot, 1st Class E. A. Bannister, mechanic.
Royal Air Force - RAF
Handley Page H.P.12
The aircraft departed Castle Bromwich for a test flight, carrying five engineers and two crew members. En route, the twin engine aircraft suffered technical problems with a wing, lost height and crashed in a field located in Maxstoke. The aircraft was destroyed and all seven occupants were killed. Crew: Lt Robert Edward Macbeth, Lt Frederick James Bravery, 1st Air Mechanic James Benjamn May, 2nd Air Mechanic Albert J. Winrow, 2nd Air Mechanic H. Simmonds, 3rd Air Mechanic Charles William Offord, 3rd George Greenland.
Royal Air Force - RAF
Blackburn R.T.1 Kangaroo
On final approach in bad visibility, aircraft was too low. It struck the ground short of runway and crashed. Both occupants were injured. Crew was performing a training flight on behalf of the 246th Squadron.
Royal Air Force - RAF
De Havilland DH.9
The pilot tried to return to his base but due to low visibility by night, he lost his orientation. He elected to make an emergency landing in an open field but the aircraft hit a tree and crashed. The pilot was injured.