Wünsdorf – Tarrant Rushton
Flight / Schedule
Wünsdorf – Tarrant Rushton
Aircraft
Avro 691 LancastrianRegistration
G-AHJW
MSN
RSLB127336
Year of Manufacture
1946
Operator
Flight RefuellingDate
November 22, 1948 at 05:08 PM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Positioning
Flight Phase
Landing (descent or approach)
Crash Site
Plain, Valley
Crash Location
Conholt Wiltshire
Region
Europe • United Kingdom
Coordinates
51.2962°, -1.5448°
Crash Cause
Human factor
Narrative Report
On November 22, 1948 at 05:08 PM, Wünsdorf – Tarrant Rushton experienced a crash involving Avro 691 Lancastrian, operated by Flight Refuelling, with the event recorded near Conholt Wiltshire.
The flight was categorized as positioning and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a plain, valley 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: 4, crew fatalities: 3, passengers on board: 4, passenger fatalities: 4, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is human factor. The aircraft was ferried to RAF Tarrant Rushton for maintenance. While descending from the northeast, the crew encountered poor weather conditions. In low visibility, the pilot started the approach when the four engine aircraft hit tree tops and crashed in flames on a hilly terrain located in Conholt, about 38 miles northeast of RAF Tarrant Rushton. A crew member was seriously injured while seven other occupants were killed. It was determined that the aircraft was off course at the time of the accident.
Aircraft reference details include registration G-AHJW, MSN RSLB127336, year of manufacture 1946.
Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 51.2962°, -1.5448°.
Fatalities
Total
7
Crew
3
Passengers
4
Other
0
Crash Summary
The aircraft was ferried to RAF Tarrant Rushton for maintenance. While descending from the northeast, the crew encountered poor weather conditions. In low visibility, the pilot started the approach when the four engine aircraft hit tree tops and crashed in flames on a hilly terrain located in Conholt, about 38 miles northeast of RAF Tarrant Rushton. A crew member was seriously injured while seven other occupants were killed. It was determined that the aircraft was off course at the time of the accident.
Cause: Human factor
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
4
Passengers On Board
4
Estimated Survivors
1
Fatality Rate
87.5%
Known people on board: 8
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Wünsdorf – Tarrant Rushton
Operator
Flight RefuellingFlight Type
Positioning
Flight Phase
Landing (descent or approach)
Crash Site
Plain, Valley
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.