This data is presented for open public scrutiny and correction - we want to make sure that the Roll is as accurate and complete as possible. If you can add to or correct the information below, please contact the Test Flying Memorial Project.
DATE: May 3, 1919
TAKE-OFF POINT: Hendon, Middx
CRASH LOCATION: Hendon, Middx
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: BAT Basilisk F2906
CREW FATALITIES: Flt Cdr P. Legh, BAT TP
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Attempt on new world altitude record
ACCIDENT DETAIL: A fire developed in the engine and quickly engulfed the aircraft, which crashed to the ground. This accident led to the mandatory requirement for fully sealed firewalls
DATE: August 14, 1921
TAKE-OFF POINT: Martlesham Heath
CRASH LOCATION: Martlesham Heath
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Bristol Braemar C4297
CREW FATALITIES: Flt Lt O.M. Sutton, A&AEE TP; AC1 C. Sheridan, Obs
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Performance trials
ACCIDENT DETAIL: During take off veered off to one side of the runway and struck hangar
DATE: August 24, 1921
TAKE-OFF POINT: Howden, Yorks
CRASH LOCATION: River Humber Estuary, Near Hull, Yorks
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Airship R.38
CREW FATALITIES: Air Cdre E.M. Maitland CMG DSO AFC; Flt Lt G.M. Thomas DFC; Flt Lt I.C. Little AFC; Flt Lt R.S. Montagu DSC; Flt Lt J.F.M. Pritchard OBE AFC; Fg Off T.F. Mathewson AFC; Fg Off V.H. Wicks; Flt Sgt S.J. Heath; Flt Sgt W.H. Greene; Flt Sgt H. Thompson; Flt Sgt F. Smith; Flt Sgt J. Rye; Flt Sgt A.T. Martin; Sgt J.W. Mason; Sgt F.E. Burton; LAC G.S. Anger; LAC W. Oliver; LAC J.N. Wilson; AC1 J.C. Drew; AC1 C.W. Donald; AC1 E.E. Steere AM; AC1 C.W. Penson; AC2 R. Parker; AC2 R. Withington; Mr J.R. Pannnell, National Physical Laboratory; Mr C.W. Duffield, , National Physical Laboratory; Mr C.J.R. Campbell, Royal Airship Works; Mr F. Warren, Royal Airship Works
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Prolonged, cruising test flight with the future American crew on board (not listed) to gain experience
ACCIDENT DETAIL: During flight near full rudder was applied and this was almost immediately reversed. The airship was flying at about 45 or 50 m.p.h. and the structure began to fail between frames 9 and 10, finally breaking in two. The forward section caught fire and both parts fell into the river amidst an intense petrol fire
DATE: November 30, 1923
TAKE-OFF POINT: Martlesham Heath
CRASH LOCATION: Martlesham Heath
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Short Springbok Mk I J6975
CREW FATALITIES: Flg Off E. Bird, TP; Cpl G.R. Budd, Obs
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Spinning trials
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Aircraft failed to recover
DATE: July 5, 1924
TAKE-OFF POINT: MAEE Felixstowe
CRASH LOCATION: Sea off Felixstowe
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Supermarine Sea Lion Mk III GEBAH
CREW FATALITIES: Flg Off E.E. Paull Smith, MAEE TP
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Speed trials conducted by MAEE following 1923 Schneider Trophy event
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Crashed due to uncontrolled porpoising on take-off
DATE: August 19, 1926
TAKE-OFF POINT: Hucclecote, Glos
CRASH LOCATION: Hucclecote, Glos
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Gloster Gamecock J7906
CREW FATALITIES: Flt Lt H.R. Junor DFC, RAE TP
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Investigation of flutter
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Ailerons detached and aircraft broke up
DATE: December 8, 1926
TAKE-OFF POINT: Martlesham Heath
CRASH LOCATION: Martlesham Heath
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Gloster Gamecock J7891
CREW FATALITIES: Flt Lt G. Wheatley, A&AEE TP
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Test flight after balancing of ailerons as part of program to cure recurrent flutter
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Aircraft disintegrated in vicinity of airfield 8-10min into flight
DATE: January 23, 1928
TAKE-OFF POINT: Martlesham Heath
CRASH LOCATION: Martlesham Heath
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Blackburn Turcock GEBYP
CREW FATALITIES: Fg Off H.C.G. Dauncey, A&AEE TP
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Level speed trial
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Aircraft crashed
DATE: March 12, 1928
TAKE-OFF POINT: Calshot
CRASH LOCATION: Solent off Calshot
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Supermarine S.5 N221
CREW FATALITIES: Flt Lt S.M. Kinkead, RAF High Speed Flight P
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Speed trials
ACCIDENT DETAIL: In poor visibility, over flat calm sea and at very high speed aircraft flew into water
DATE: May 16, 1928
TAKE-OFF POINT: Brooklands, Surrey
CRASH LOCATION: Shepperton
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Vickers Vanguard G-EBCP
CREW FATALITIES: E.R.C. Scholefield, Vickers Chief TP
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: The aeroplane had been fitted with a new tail unit from a Vickers Virginia Mk X in an effort to eliminate control problems
ACCIDENT DETAIL: The tail unit apparently failed as a result of excessive rudder force
DATE: April 19, 1937
TAKE-OFF POINT: Martlesham Heath
CRASH LOCATION: Waldringfield, Suffolk
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Vickers Wellington prototype K4049
CREW FATALITIES: AC G.P. Smurthwaite, Obs
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Diving trials
ACCIDENT DETAIL: During trials the horn balance on one side of the elevator detached and the whole control surface followed causing the aircraft to bunt, throwing the pilot, who survived using his parachute, through the cockpit roof. The observer died in the crash
DATE: July 22, 1937
TAKE-OFF POINT: Martlesham Heath
CRASH LOCATION: Sea off Suffolk
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Miles Magister L5912
CREW FATALITIES: Flt Lt E.W. Simmonds
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT:
ACCIDENT DETAIL: After failing to recover from a spin the pilot baled out over the sea. An RAF rescue launch set out to recover him but saw a ferry apparently altering course to pick him up and returned to base. Unfortunately the ferry had seen the launch and resumed its journey. The pilot drowned
DATE: June 28, 1938
TAKE-OFF POINT: Woodley, Berks
CRASH LOCATION: Harefield, Berks
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Miles Whitney Straight M.11C G-AEYI
CREW FATALITIES: Wg Cdr F.W. Stent, TP
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Test flight with DH Gipsy Major series II engine and variable-pitch propeller
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Crashed soon after take-off
DATE: September 6, 1938
TAKE-OFF POINT: Brooklands, Surrey
CRASH LOCATION: St George’s Hill, Weybridge, Surrey
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Hawker Hurricane Mk I L1652
CREW FATALITIES: John Hindmarsh, Hawker TP
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Production test flight
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Aircraft crashed immediately after take-off
DATE: August 23, 1939
TAKE-OFF POINT: Martlesham Heath
CRASH LOCATION: Martlesham Heath
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Bristol Bombay L5808
CREW FATALITIES: Flt Sgt C.E. Higgins P, LAC R.J. Machin, AC D. Treadwell
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Development test flight
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Crashed near airfield