Radlett - Radlett

On December 3, 1945 at 12:00 AM, Radlett - Radlett experienced a crash involving Handley Page H.P.81 Hermes, operated by Handley Page Aircraft Company Ltd, with the event recorded near Radlett Hertfordshire.

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

2 people were known to be on board, 2 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.

Crew on board: 2, crew fatalities: 2, passengers on board: 0, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is technical failure. First prototype of the Hermes, this model H.P.68 (s/n 68/1) was later renamed H.P.81. Both crew members left Radlett Airfield to complete the first test flight on this new airplane. Few minutes after takeoff, while cruising in the vicinity of the aerodrome, the four engine aircraft went out of control and crashed in a field located 5 km from the airport. Both occupants were killed.

Aircraft reference details include registration G-AGSS, MSN 68/1, year of manufacture 1945.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 51.6844°, -0.3177°.