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DATE: January 18, 1946
TAKE-OFF POINT: Farnborough, Hants
CRASH LOCATION: Cove, Hants
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Dornier 335A-12 AM223
CREW FATALITIES: Gp Cpt A.F. Hards DSO, OC Experimental Flying, P, RAE Farnborough
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Assessment of enemy aircraft
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Twenty five minutes after take-off the aircraft was seen to rejoin the circuit and to begin an approach, wheels down with smoke coming from the belly of the machine in front of the rear engine. An explosion was heard and a fire in the rear fuselage was seen. The aircraft entered a shallow dive in a wide turn to port, finally impacting Cove village school. Six people were injured on the ground. The flying of German aircraft was strictly limited thereafter
DATE: February 18, 1946
TAKE-OFF POINT: Staverton, Glous
CRASH LOCATION: Barnstaple, Devon
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Supermarine Spitfire F Mk 21 LA216
CREW FATALITIES: Flt Lt Philmore DFC, Rotol TP, Staverton
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Endurance testing of contra-rotating propeller
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Hit high ground in poor visibility
DATE: May 9, 1946
TAKE-OFF POINT: Moreton Valence, Glos
CRASH LOCATION: RAF Defford, Worcs
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Gloster Meteor F4 EE518
CREW FATALITIES: Mr Llewellyn Moss, Gloster, CPTP Moreton Valence
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Test flight after fuel pump change
ACCIDENT DETAIL: A few minutes after take-off, the aircraft was seen approaching Defford in a shallow dive at about 450 m.p.h. It entered a sharp climbing turn streaming wingtip vortices and at about 1,500ft the starboard wing detached and the Meteor disintegrated
DATE: May 25, 1946
TAKE-OFF POINT: Farnborough, Hants
CRASH LOCATION: Broxbourne, Herts
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: North American Mustang Mk III KH505
CREW FATALITIES: Sqn Ldr E.B. Gale AFC RCAF, Aero Flight RAE Farnborough TP
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Dives from 40,000ft at not more than 450 m.p.h. to provide data for research into behaviour of various wing sections at close to the speed of sound
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Aircraft was seen diving vertically at extremely high speed before impacting a crop field. Most of the wreckage was so deeply embedded as to be irrecoverable
DATE: July 2, 1946
TAKE-OFF POINT: Boscombe Down, Wilts
CRASH LOCATION: Porton Range, Wilts
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Gloster Meteor III EE312
CREW FATALITIES: Sqn Ldr A.R. Majcherczyk DFC, A Squadron A&AEE TP
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Spinning trials, three-turn spins in both directions from 15,000ft
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Anti-spin parachute suffered a snatch opening and broke away. Aircraft entered another spin at 3,500ft before diving into the ground
DATE: September 27, 1946
TAKE-OFF POINT: Hatfield, Herts
CRASH LOCATION: Egypt Bay, Thames Estuary off Kent coast
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: de Havilland D.H.108 TG306
CREW FATALITIES: Geoffrey R. de Havilland OBE, de Havilland Aircraft CTP
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Investigating aircraft’s controllability close to the speed of sound at low altitude (5,000ft) in preparation for an attempt on the world speed record
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Diving from 10,000ft, an airspeed of 654 m.p.h. at 5,000ft was attained but the aircraft encountered violent divergent instability and broke up, both wings detaching
DATE: April 22, 1947
TAKE-OFF POINT: Moreton Valence, Glos
CRASH LOCATION: Moreton Valence, Glos
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Gloster Meteor F Mk 4 RA394
CREW FATALITIES: Lt J. Bridge RN, Gloster Aircraft PTP
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: —
ACCIDENT DETAIL: One engine failed in a steep dive and the pilot had great difficulty in handling the landing approach, finally stalling whilst climbing to avoid a tree
DATE: August 23, 1947
TAKE-OFF POINT: Woodford, Lancs
CRASH LOCATION: Woodford, Lancs
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Avro Tudor Mk 2 G-AGSU
CREW FATALITIES: S.A. Thorn, Avro CTP; Roy Chadwick, Avro chief designer; D. Wilson, Avro chief of flight test; J. Webster, radio operator
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: —
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Accident due to incorrect reassembly of aileron circuit after work on wing control surfaces
DATE: October 15, 1947
TAKE-OFF POINT: Yeovil, Somerset
CRASH LOCATION: Cattistock, Cerne Abbas, Dorset
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Westland Wyvern TS371
CREW FATALITIES: Sqn Ldr P.J. Garner, Westland ACTP
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Development test flight with air-to-air photography
ACCIDENT DETAIL: The Rolls-Royce Eagle engine suffered a failure of the pitch translation bearing whilst returning to Yeovil. This caused the rear unit of the propeller to move into superfine pitch, leading to dramatic loss of thrust and increase to drag and torque. The pilot made a forced landing but was probably rendered unconscious by a section of prop blade which penetrated the cockpit. He perished in the subsequent fire
DATE: October 21, 1947
TAKE-OFF POINT: Felixstowe, Suffolk
CRASH LOCATION: Off Southend, Essex
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Short Sunderland Mk V DV976
CREW FATALITIES: Fg Off W.A. Harvey, MAEE Felixstowe P; LAC D.R. Wright; AC A.R. Gurdin; LAC J.J. Ryan
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Strain gauge experimental flight
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Starboard inner engine caught fire which spread to adjacent structure before engine broke away. Pilot attempted ditching at high speed on glass-calm sea but on alighting aircraft overturned and sank (six crew survived and were rescued)
DATE: February 12, 1948
TAKE-OFF POINT: Lasham, Hants
CRASH LOCATION: Lower Froyle, Alton, Hants
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: General Aircraft GAL. 56/01 TS507
CREW FATALITIES: Sqn Ldr R.S. Kronfeld AFC, General Aircraft CTP
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Stalling trials of tailless research glider
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Towed to 10,000ft by Halifax tug. After second stall glider entered stable stall with trim set nose-down to reduce stick loads. The glider defied the pilot’s efforts to unstall it until he raised the flaps and put the nose down into a dive, which proved impossible to recover owing to the trim set. The glider bunted at –5g, and the FTO baled out. The pilot failed to do so before aircraft hit the ground inverted
DATE: May 28, 1948
TAKE-OFF POINT: Boscombe Down, Wilts
CRASH LOCATION: Amesbury, Wilts
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Miles Marathon G-AGPD
CREW FATALITIES: Flt Lt B. Bastable DFC, A&AEE TP; Miss B.R. Edmunds FTO
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Initial handling assessment
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Pilot omitted to re-trim the adjustable fin incidence after take-off causing overstressing of the tail unit which collapsed. The adjustable fin incidence was provided to assist the pilot in the event of an outboard engine failure on take-off, but had to be re-set before level flight speeds were reached
DATE: June 22, 1948
TAKE-OFF POINT: Boscombe Down, Wilts
CRASH LOCATION: Durrington, Amesbury, Wilts
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Supermarine Attacker TS413
CREW FATALITIES: Lt-Cdr T.J.A. King Joyce RN, C Squadron A&AEE TP
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Measured take-off, stability, climb stalling speed and stick forces per g at 30,000ft trials with 270gal ventral tank fitted. Also investigation of Mach number effect at Mach 0.79 at 20,000ft
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Aircraft crashed 57min after take-off probably owing to rudder overbalance with ventral tank fitted. The pilot had jettisoned the tank but the aircraft immediately bunted throwing the pilot against the canopy roof, which shattered
DATE: July 2, 1948
TAKE-OFF POINT: Boscombe Down , Wilts
CRASH LOCATION: Wylye, Wilts
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Avro Lincoln B Mk II RF560
CREW FATALITIES: Sqn Ldr A. Tooth DFC, B Squadron A&AEE TP; Flt Lt A.G, Bradfield; Fg Off G.W. Williams; Mr P.W. Howes, FTO
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: High altitude handling trials following fitting of a wide range of radar equipment destined for the B.3/45 Canberra
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Whilst testing behaviour at low speed with No 1 propeller feathered and No 2 feathered the aircraft entered a Left-hand spin. There was insufficient height to effect a recovery and it stalled into a hill
DATE: August 30, 1948
TAKE-OFF POINT: Farnborough, Hants
CRASH LOCATION: Old Windsor, Berks
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Gloster Meteor F Mk 4 EE568
CREW FATALITIES: Sqn Ldr C.L.T Sawle AFC
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Assessment of lateral and directional stability
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Aircraft entered a dive from which it did not recover after a piece of its structure was seen to detach
DATE: September 14, 1948
TAKE-OFF POINT: Farnborough, Hants
CRASH LOCATION: Woking, Surrey
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Supermarine Spitfire HFIX NH236
CREW FATALITIES: Sqn Ldr R.W. Whittome OBE DFC, Aero Flight RAE Farnborough TP
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Determining propeller performance at high Mach numbers
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Pilot suffered a paradoxical reaction to hypoxia during an out-of-trim high-speed dive. Aircraft was severely overstressed before impacting ground
DATE: October 14, 1948
TAKE-OFF POINT: Filton, Glos
CRASH LOCATION: Northwick, Pilning Glos
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Bristol Brigand B Mk 1 RH824
CREW FATALITIES: Sqn Ldr D.D. Weightman DFC, ARB CTP
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Pilot was seconded to Bristol to test Brigand
ACCIDENT DETAIL: On second production test flight port engine overspeeded and all four propeller blades detached, severing part of the nose structure then hitting starboard propeller and overstressing the engine mount, causing engine to detach. Pilot managed a forced landing, but was killed by impact with a tree
DATE: February 3, 1949
TAKE-OFF POINT: Wolverhampton, Staffs
CRASH LOCATION: Coven, Staffs
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Boulton Paul Balliol T Mk 2 VW897
CREW FATALITIES: Mr R. Lindsay Neale, Boulton Paul CTP; Mr K.P.H. Tisshaw, Boulton Paul TP
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Stability trials up to the design limiting speed on prototype Mamba-powered Balliol
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Windscreen collapsed in high-speed dive and canopy burst, incapacitating both pilots. Aircraft dived into ground
DATE: March 5, 1949
TAKE-OFF POINT: Farnborough, Hants
CRASH LOCATION: Figsbury Ring, Wilts
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Gloster Meteor F Mk 4 RA382
CREW FATALITIES: Gp Cpt T.B. Cooper OBE DFC, A&AEE Superintendent of Flying
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: After modification by Gloster to near Mark 8 standard, aircraft was returned to Farnborough for various tests. This sortie was flown to carry out stick force per g tests.
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Nine minutes after take-off the aircraft hit the ground
DATE: April 17, 1949
TAKE-OFF POINT: White Waltham, Berks
CRASH LOCATION: Ufton Nervet, Berks
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Fairey Gyrodyne VX591
CREW FATALITIES: Mr H. Foster Dixon, Fairey Rotary division CTP; Mr D. Garroway, FTO
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: High-speed practice for an attempt on 100km closed-circuit speed record
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Number one rotor blade detached in flight owing to fatigue failure of retaining nut
DATE: May 6, 1949
TAKE-OFF POINT: Filton, Glos
CRASH LOCATION: English Channel 30 miles south of Portland Bill
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Bristol 170 Mark 21 G-AIFF
CREW FATALITIES: Mr J.A.C. Northway, TP; Mr J.M. Radcliffe, head of flight development; Mr R.M. Pollard, FTO engines; Mr E.J.N. Archbold, FTO; Mr R.H. Daniels, FTO; Mr C.W.E. Flook, FTO; Mr J.L. Gundry, FTO
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: CA release trials
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Fin failed owing to rudder lock in an extreme yaw condition during single-engined flight test
DATE: June 9, 1949
TAKE-OFF POINT: Langley, Bucks
CRASH LOCATION: Langley, Bucks
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Hawker Sea Fury FB Mk 11 VX618
CREW FATALITIES: Lt R.G. Shove, RM
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Endurance test flight
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Leaving Langley on a two-hour engine endurance flight, black smoke was seen coming from the exhausts and reported to the pilot. The pilot decided to return but stalled on finals and dived into the ground
DATE: July 13, 1949
TAKE-OFF POINT: Moreton Valence, Glos
CRASH LOCATION: Moreton Valence, Glos
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Gloster Meteor FR Mk 5 VT347
CREW FATALITIES: Mr R. Dryland DFC, Moreton Valence acting CTP
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Maiden flight of FR Mk 5 prototype
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Pilot executed a high-g pull-out over the airfield and centre section structure failed, leading to total disintegration
DATE: September 26, 1949
TAKE-OFF POINT: Boscombe Down, Wilts
CRASH LOCATION: Beacon Hill, Wilts
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Handley Page Hastings C Mk 1 TG499
CREW FATALITIES: Sqn Ldr P.G. Evans DFC, B Squadron A&AEE TP; Flt Lt I.P. Bishop DFC; Fg Off R. Hodge
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: The Hastings was fitted with a very large under-fuselage cargo pannier – the “Pantechnicon” —and this was the first flight test of the device
ACCIDENT DETAIL: After take-off, at 4,000ft the nose of the pannier collapsed inwards and the whole broke away from the aircraft, striking the starboard tailplane, half of which broke away. The aircraft crashed out of control
DATE: September 30, 1949
TAKE-OFF POINT: Farnborough, Hants
CRASH LOCATION: Blackbushe, Hants
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Avro 707A VX784
CREW FATALITIES: Sqn Ldr S.E. Esler DFC, Avro deputy CTP
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Early test flights resulted in adjustments to all control surfaces, the operation of which was judged too heavy. This flight was to clear the alterations made and the pilot was advised to avoid the stall since no anti-spin parachute was fitted
ACCIDENT DETAIL: The aircraft was stalled inadvertently and crashed
DATE: October 31, 1949
TAKE-OFF POINT: Yeovil, Somerset
CRASH LOCATION: Yeovil, Somerset
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Westland Wyvern Mk 2 VP113
CREW FATALITIES: Sqn Ldr M.A. Graves DFC, Westland TP
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: —
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Engine failure following a high-speed low-level pass across airfield and climb to 2,500ft. Attempted crash landing on airfield after crossing boundary at 200 m.p.h., touched down three-quarters of way across airfield and overshot into housing estate, demolishing one house and killing three civilians
DATE: November 4, 1949
TAKE-OFF POINT: Luton, Beds
CRASH LOCATION: Luton, Beds
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Hawker Tempest F Mk 6 NX235
CREW FATALITIES: Mr A. Sutcliffe, Napier Engines TP
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Endurance test of modified cooling system
ACCIDENT DETAIL: At end of flight pilot was given ATC clearance to make a low pass across airfield. Pilot attempted slow roll at 150ft but nose dropped when inverted and starboard wing hit ground during attempt at recovery. Aircraft disintegrated
DATE: February 15, 1950
TAKE-OFF POINT: Farnborough, Hants
CRASH LOCATION: Brickhill, Bletchley, Bucks
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: de Havilland D.H.108 VW120
CREW FATALITIES: Sdn Ldr J.S.R. Muller Rowland DSO DFC, OC Aero Flight RAE
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: To observe longitudinal stability and aeroelasticity at high Mach numbers at 38,000ft
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Aircraft dived at high speed from 27,000ft and disintegrated at 10,000ft
DATE: February 16, 1950
TAKE-OFF POINT: Yoevil, Somerset
CRASH LOCATION: Ashington, Somerset
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Supermarine Spitfire F Mk 22 PK545
CREW FATALITIES: Mr K.A. Butler, Westland TP
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Post-modification test flight, last in a series of four
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Pilot entered a slow roll but lost height when inverted, finally hitting the ground at high speed
DATE: March 21, 1950
TAKE-OFF POINT: Filton, Bristol
CRASH LOCATION: Cowbridge, Glamorgan
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Bristol 170 Freighter G-AIHH
CREW FATALITIES: Mr Barraclough, Bristol Aeroplane Company TP; A. Bolton, radio officer; E.C. Brunt, engineer; F.C.T. Pullen, electrician
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Test flight, C of A renewal
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Crashed in circumstances almost identical to those of May 6, 1949, and leading to structural failure of the fin
DATE: April 13, 1950
TAKE-OFF POINT: Farnborough, Hants
CRASH LOCATION: Shamley Green, Surrey
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: de Havilland Vampire F Mk 1 TG388
CREW FATALITIES: Sqn Ldr C.W. Stark AFC
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Instrument assessment flight
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Aircraft entered cloud and was later seen emerging at high speed and diving to the ground. Pilot had baled out but was struck by the tailplane. Engine was not running when aircraft hit the ground
DATE: May 1, 1950
TAKE-OFF POINT: Farnborough, Hants
CRASH LOCATION: Hartley Wintney, Hants
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: de Havilland D.H.108 TG283
CREW FATALITIES: Sqn Ldr G.E.C. Genders AFC DFM
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Low-speed research, slideslip and stalling trials
ACCIDENT DETAIL: One clean and one dirty stall were executed but aircraft fell out of the latter in an inverted spin. Only one anti-spin chute streamed. Pilot abandoned aircraft at low altitude but canopy only partly opened
DATE: June 13, 1950
TAKE-OFF POINT: Eastleigh, Hants
CRASH LOCATION: West End, Hants
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Cierva Air Horse VZ724
CREW FATALITIES: Sdn Ldr H.A. Marsh AFC, Cierva CTP; Sqn Ldr F.J. Cable AFC, AFEE Beaulieu CTP (rotary wing); Mr H.J. Unsworth, Cierva FTO
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: —
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Forward rotor hub failed at 400ft and one of its blades struck the starboard rear rotor boom which broke off and its rotor disintegrated
DATE: September 18, 1950
TAKE-OFF POINT: Farnborough, Hants
CRASH LOCATION: Winchester, Hants
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Avro Lincoln B Mk 3 RF534
CREW FATALITIES: Lt W.N. Plews RN; Flt Lt R.F. Smail, flight engineer
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: —
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Aircraft observed at 3,000ft making a sharp turn to starboard followed by a turn to port before flicking inverted and spinning out of control. Port wing detached before impact with ground
DATE: October 9, 1950
TAKE-OFF POINT: Gosport, Hants
CRASH LOCATION: Woolf Rock, off Lands End, Cornwall
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Fairey Swordfish Mk 3 NR933
CREW FATALITIES: Flt Lt E.B. Churchill, Torpedo Development Unit TP
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Experimental torpedo trials in clear weather
ACCIDENT DETAIL: En route to Scilly ranges pilot radioed that he was ditching 15 miles east of the islands. Despite an exhaustive search by many aircraft and rescue agencies, no trace was ever found
DATE: December 21, 1950
TAKE-OFF POINT: Defford, Worcs
CRASH LOCATION: Bransford House Farm, Worcester
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Glostser Meteor F Mk 4 VT342
CREW FATALITIES: Flt Lt D.J.M. Macdonald, TFU Defford
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Aircraft flying as target on radar trials
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Shortly after take-off aircraft emerged in a shallow dive from low cloud and turned inverted before hitting ground
DATE: February 5, 1951
TAKE-OFF POINT: South Marston, Wilts
CRASH LOCATION: Marlborough, Wilts
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Supermarine Attacker F Mk 1 WA477
CREW FATALITIES: Sqn Ldr P.G. Robarts, Supermarine PTP
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Third production test flight proving pressurisation and effect on performance of ventral tank
ACCIDENT DETAIL: On take-off puffs of black smoke were seen in jet efflux. Aircraft was next seen at high speed pulling out of a dive, then rolling inverted before impacting the ground at well over 500 m.p.h.
DATE: April 2, 1951
TAKE-OFF POINT: Farnborough, Hants
CRASH LOCATION: Ringmer, Sussex
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Hawker P.1081 VX279
CREW FATALITIES: Sqn Ldr T.S. Wade DFC AFC, Hawker CTP
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: General air test
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Some emergency overtook the aircraft; the pilot ejected at 2,000ft but the seat’s rotation prevented him from separating from it and using his parachute
DATE: June 8, 1951
TAKE-OFF POINT: Boscombe Down, Wilts
CRASH LOCATION: Seven Barrows, Wilts
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Westland Wyvern TF Mk 2 VW869
CREW FATALITIES: Lt-Cdr (E) D.K. Hanson
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Air test following propeller change and reported vibration
ACCIDENT DETAIL: 45min after take-off aircraft broke up following canopy failure. Pilot ejected but was severely injured by control column as seat left aircraft. He was unable to release from seat and use his parachute
DATE: June 13, 1951
TAKE-OFF POINT: Hucknall, Notts
CRASH LOCATION: Bulwell Common, Notts
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: English Electric Canberra B Mk 1 VN850
CREW FATALITIES: R.H.B. Peach, Rolls-Royce TP
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Intensive flying trials of Avon engine
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Pilot unable to relight port engine. Aircraft stalled on approach, partly recovered, and attempted climb away but crashed after crossing airfield
DATE: June 27, 1951
TAKE-OFF POINT: Martlesham Heath, Suffolk
CRASH LOCATION: Wilby, Suffolk
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Avro Athena T Mk 2 VR569
CREW FATALITIES: Flying officer J.R. Corke, P, Armament & Instrument Experimental Unit; Sgt J.E.A. Walsh, navigator
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Instrument flight
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Aircraft broke up in spiral dive after loss of control in cloud
DATE: July 12, 1951
TAKE-OFF POINT: Farnborough, Hants
CRASH LOCATION: Tangmere, Sussex
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Hawker Sea Fury Mk X TF897
CREW FATALITIES: Flt Lt R.B. Connell DFC
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Investigating trim change with speed and power
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Engine failure, stalled on approach
DATE: August 26, 1951
TAKE-OFF POINT: Stansted, Essex
CRASH LOCATION: Stansted, Essex
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Handley Page H.P.88 VX330
CREW FATALITIES: Flt Lt D.J.P. Broomfield DFM, Handley Page TP
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Test flight in preparation for display at SBAC show
ACCIDENT DETAIL: During run across airfield at 525kt aircraft entered a series of pitches pulling +12g to –7g and broke up
DATE: January 12, 1952
TAKE-OFF POINT: Wisley, Surrey
CRASH LOCATION: Holmsley South, Hants
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Vickers Valiant (prototype) WB210
CREW FATALITIES: Sqn Ldr B.H.D. Foster DSO DFC, co-pilot and RAF liaison officer
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: —
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Fuel spillage into wing following three unsuccessful relight trials ignited and began to ignite structure. First pilot (J. Bryce, Vickers CTP) ejected safely and three FTOs baled out successfully. Sqn Ldr Foster’s ejection seat struck fin, leading to his death
DATE: February 5, 1952
TAKE-OFF POINT: Chilbolton, Hants
CRASH LOCATION: Leckford, Hants
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Supermarine Attacker F Mk 1 WA485
CREW FATALITIES: Lt Cdr R.M. Orr Ewing, C Squadron A&AEE TP
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Trials to determine behaviour of new slab tailpalne
ACCIDENT DETAIL: After a few manœuvres aircraft pitched down at low altitude and dived into water meadows
DATE: March 25, 1952
TAKE-OFF POINT: Samlesbury, Lancs
CRASH LOCATION: West of Preston, Lancs
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: English Electric Canberra B Mk 2 WD991
CREW FATALITIES: Mr T.B.D. Evans, English Electric TP
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: First production test flight
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Shortly after take-off aircraft was seen at 800ft flying straight and level at high speed. It suddenly entered a steep dive and hit the ground. A spanner was found in the elevator control circuit
DATE: April 30, 1952
TAKE-OFF POINT: Farnborough, Hants
CRASH LOCATION: Llandow, Glamorgan
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: English Electric Canberra B Mk 2 WD960
CREW FATALITIES: Sqn Ldr R. Bradwell DFC, OC wireless and electrical flight RAE Farnborough TP; Flt Lt A. Millar DFC
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: —
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Aircraft stalled while turning on to finals at Llandow
DATE: June 12, 1952
TAKE-OFF POINT: Boscombe Down, Wilts
CRASH LOCATION: Figheldean, Wilts
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: North American Harvard T Mk 2B EX371
CREW FATALITIES: Flt Lt I.K. Johnston, D Squadron A&AEE P; Mr R.J. Whatley, photographer
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Photoshoot of paradrop from Hastings
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Aircraft entered spin during shoot and crashed
DATE: July 2, 1952
TAKE-OFF POINT: Boscombe Down, Wilts
CRASH LOCATION: Bemerton Heath, Salisbury, Wilts
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Bristol Brigand B Mk I RH753
CREW FATALITIES: Flt Lt G. Wood-Smith DFC, D Squadron A&AEE P; Mr D.E. Purse, photographer
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: —
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Port engine failed on take-off. Pilot had never flown a Brigand before and was soon in great difficulty, finally crashed on housing estate causing injuries to a fireman and nine civilians
DATE: August 19, 1952
TAKE-OFF POINT: Farnborough, Hants
CRASH LOCATION: Lodge Farm, Odiham, Hants
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Vickers Valetta C Mk 1 VL266
CREW FATALITIES: Flt Lt L.H Wilkinson; Flt Lt M. Marcovitch RAAF
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Change of trim with power and speed investigation
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Aircraft seen in shallow dive from 2,000ft to 1,500ft. Fin and rudder detached followed by port then starboard wings
DATE: August 27, 1952
TAKE-OFF POINT: Farnborough, Hants
CRASH LOCATION: Frimley Green, Hants
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: de Havilland Sea Venom NF Mk 20 WK376
CREW FATALITIES: Lt A.E. Facer RN, Naval Aviation Flight RAE TP
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Following three catapult launches, pilot received permission for low pass over airfield
ACCIDENT DETAIL: During this pass the manually-operated elevator trim tab detached, followed by the spring tab and then one of the rudders. The aircraft dived steeply to the ground
DATE: September 6, 1952
TAKE-OFF POINT: Farnborough, Hants
CRASH LOCATION: Farnborough, Hants
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: de Havilland D.H.110 WG236
CREW FATALITIES: John Derry DFC, de Havilland TP, Hatfield; Tony Richards, de Havilland FTO, Hatfield
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Display flight at trade show
ACCIDENT DETAIL: During a display flight the aircraft suffered a structural failure of the leading edge of the inboard starboard wing which resulted in the break-up of entire aircraft. As well as the crew, 28 spectators lost their lives when two engines were projected into the crowd from falling wreckage
DATE: November 25, 1952
TAKE-OFF POINT: Boscombe Down, Wilts
CRASH LOCATION: Boscombe Down, Wilts
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: de Havilland Venom FB Mk 1 WE258
CREW FATALITIES: Sqn Ldr C.G. Clark DFC, A Squadron A&AEE TP
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Bomb handling trials
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Collided with Valetta soon after joining Boscombe circuit, tearing off starboard wing. Valetta crash-landed without fatalities
DATE: June 11, 1953
TAKE-OFF POINT: Moreton Valance, Glos
CRASH LOCATION: Flax Bourton, Somerset
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Gloster Javelin WD808
CREW FATALITIES: P.G. Lawrence, Gloster TP
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Second prototype elevator response trials with c.g. aft
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Entered deep stall from which recovery proved impossible. Pilot ejected too late, 400ft AGL
DATE: June 27, 1953
TAKE-OFF POINT: Boscombe Down, Wilts
CRASH LOCATION: Boscombe Down, Wilts
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Hawker Sea Hawk F Mk 1 WF109
CREW FATALITIES: Sqn Ldr D.W. Colquhoun, A Squadron A&AEE TP
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Gun firing trials
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Port wing folded immediately after take-off. Aircraft crashed into rear of Boscombe officers’ mess
DATE: September 8, 1953
TAKE-OFF POINT: Farnborough, Hants
CRASH LOCATION: Crashed on aborted take-off
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Bristol Sycamore Mk 1 VL963
CREW FATALITIES: Flt Lt J.K. Hough AFC, RAE Farnborough TP
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: —
ACCIDENT DETAIL: After badly executed take-off the pilot decided to land at once but the rotor struck the ground, pitching the nose forward and initiating severe bucking owing to the damaged rotor running at take-off power still. The pilot was knocked unconscious and thrown from aircraft, sustaining fatal injuries. Two other crew members included Rolls-Royce CTP survived
DATE: September 26, 1953
TAKE-OFF POINT: Turnhouse, Edinburgh (Midlothian)
CRASH LOCATION: Tranent, East Lothian
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Hawker Sea Fury T Mk 20 VX283
CREW FATALITIES: Mr H.D. Shaw; Mr J. McCaig, Ferranti Flying Unit TPs
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Gyro gun sight trials
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Trial abandoned owing to cloud over firing ranges. Later seen performing barrel roll at 1,000ft but nose dropped and aircraft dived into ground
DATE: October 23, 1953
TAKE-OFF POINT: Defford, Worcs (TFU)
CRASH LOCATION: Sowton, Devon
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: English Electric Canberra B Mk 2 WF892
CREW FATALITIES: Flt Lt P.J. Clarke, P; Sqn Ldr W.A. Allison, navigator, TFU Defford
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: —
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Aircraft encountered bird-strike, resulting in loss of starboard engine power. Forced landing was baulked by house so pilot opened up remaining engine but lost directional control and crashed
DATE: November 10, 1953
TAKE-OFF POINT: Boscombe Down, Wilts
CRASH LOCATION: Breamore Down, Hants
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Supermarine Swift Mk 1 WJ965
CREW FATALITIES: Sqn Ldr N.E.D. Lewis, A Squadron A&AEE TP
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Low-speed handling trials at 18,000ft
ACCIDENT DETAIL: After a second stall with flaps and undercarriage down, aircraft was seen to enter a right-hand spin at 3,000ft/5,000ft from which it did not recover. An anti-spin parachute was not fitted
DATE: February 22, 1954
TAKE-OFF POINT: Ringway, Lancs
CRASH LOCATION: Hanley Banks, Staffordshire
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: de Havilland Venom FB Mk 1 WK390
CREW FATALITIES: Mr K.B. Forbes, Fairey Aviation TP, Ringway
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Production test flight
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Aircraft disintegrated in low-level flight. Cause never established
DATE: February 25, 1954
TAKE-OFF POINT: Radlett, Herts
CRASH LOCATION: Crashed on take-off
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: English Electric Canberra B Mk 2 WJ622
CREW FATALITIES: Flt Lt K.W. Dalton-Golding DFC, Handley Page deputy CTP; Mr M.G. Goodridge, FTO
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Production test flight
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Flight controls jammed on take-off, aircraft hit railway embankment adjacent to airfield
DATE: March 4, 1954
TAKE-OFF POINT: Waterbeach, Cambs
CRASH LOCATION: Chelmsford, Essex
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: de Havilland Venom FB Mk 1 WK427
CREW FATALITIES: Mr E. Beadle, Marshalls Cambridge TP
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Post-maintenance test flight
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Aircraft entered high-speed dive as required by test programme and broke up
DATE: March 31, 1954
TAKE-OFF POINT: Farnborough, Hants
CRASH LOCATION: Mytchett Green, Hants
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Gloster Meteor F Mk 8 WH312
CREW FATALITIES: Gp Cpt G.N. Hancock ETPS
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: —
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Having experienced an engine failure, the pilot lost control when turning on to finals at Farnborough
DATE: May 18, 1954
TAKE-OFF POINT: Bitterswell, Warwicks
CRASH LOCATION: Palton, Warwicks
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Westland Wyvern S Mk 4 VZ747
CREW FATALITIES: Mr E. Griffiths, Armstrong Siddeley Motors CTP
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Engine relight trials
ACCIDENT DETAIL: After three successful relights a fourth was attempted but failed. The pilot attempted to regain the airfield but broke off a turn on to finals and landed wheels-down on a field crossed by deep ditches which would have been invisible to him in the poor light. The aircraft broke up after losing its undercarriage
DATE: June 22, 1954
TAKE-OFF POINT: Farnborough, Hants
CRASH LOCATION: Aldershot, Hants
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Hawker Sea Fury T Mk 20 VX818
CREW FATALITIES: Sqn Ldr D.J. Murphy DFC, ETPS TP
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Air test after rectification work
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Engine failed at 1,000ft after take-off. The aircraft broke up during forced landing on tank training ground. The pilot was thrown clear but sustained fatal injuries
DATE: July 14, 1954
TAKE-OFF POINT: Cranfield, Beds
CRASH LOCATION: Cranfield, Beds
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Handley Page Victor B Mk 1 WB771
CREW FATALITIES: Sqn Ldr R.V. Ecclestone DFC AFC, Handley Page TP; Mr E.N.K. Bennett, FTO; Mr B. Heithersay, FTO; Mr A.B. Cook, FTO
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Position error calibration flight involving runs at 100ft across airfield at increasing speeds
ACCIDENT DETAIL: After many runs tailplane detached owing to induced flutter, causing cracking of attachment bolt holes
DATE: August 25, 1954
TAKE-OFF POINT: HMS Albion
CRASH LOCATION: Lost at sea
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Fairey Gannet AS Mk 1 WN348
CREW FATALITIES: Mr P.D. Byrne, RAE Farnborough FTO
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Deck trials
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Starboard engine compressor failed during a catapult launch and aircraft ditched off Albion’s starboard bow. Pilot only rescued
DATE: October 21, 1954
TAKE-OFF POINT: Moreton Valence, Glos
CRASH LOCATION: Lost at sea
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Gloster Javelin FAW Mk 1 XA546
CREW FATALITIES: Flt Lt R.J. Ross
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Spinning investigation
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Aircraft failed to recover from intentional spin and crashed into Bristol Channel off Weston-super-Mare
DATE: December 29, 1954
TAKE-OFF POINT: Farnborough, Hants
CRASH LOCATION: Farnborough, Hants
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Kramme & Zeuthen KZ10 642
CREW FATALITIES: Flt Lt A.L.B. Faucett, Experimental Flying Department RAE TP
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Investigation on behalf of Danish government of tailplane trim and stick forces following a series of accidents.
ACCIDENT DETAIL: After a series of tests aircraft was seen to enter two steep spiral turns before bunting and briefly recovering before beginning to disintegrate and falling to the ground. Pilot baled out too late for parachute to deploy fully
DATE: March 2, 1955
TAKE-OFF POINT: Boscombe Down, Wilts
CRASH LOCATION: Boscombe Down, Wilts
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Handley Page Hastings C Mk 2 WD484
CREW FATALITIES: Flt Lt E.H. Edmunds, navigator TFU Defford; Flt Lt F.W.W. Seaman, signaller TFU Defford
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Aircraft detached from Defford for radar trials over Larkhill
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Took off from Boscombe with elevator locks engaged and crashed on airfield in vertical dive from 200ft. In addition to the two fatalities, the pilot and one other crew member were seriously injured and 2 further crew members (FTOs) were uninjured
DATE: March 29, 1955
TAKE-OFF POINT: Hucknall, Notts
CRASH LOCATION: Hucknall, Notts
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Avro Lancastrian C Mk 2 VL970
CREW FATALITIES: Mr R.L. Jones DSO, Rolls Royce TP; Mr I.D. Davies, FTO; Mr W. Orr, FTO; Mr M. Costello, FTO, all of Rolls Royce
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Flying testbed for Avon engines in port and starboard outer positions
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Attempted landing at Hucknall resulted in overshoot being initiated. Aircraft climbed away slowly, initiating a gentle turn to starboard which rapidly steepened before hitting ground, bursting into flames and cartwheeling
DATE: July 5, 1955
TAKE-OFF POINT: Boscombe Down, Wilts
CRASH LOCATION: Idmiston, Wilts
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Supermarine 525 VX138
CREW FATALITIES: Lt-Cdr T.A. Rickell, A&AEE TP
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Preliminary handling assessment (pilot’s first flight in aircraft)
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Entered spin at 10,000ft which flattened and became irrecoverable. Pilot unable to jettison canopy and ejection seat operating face blind snagged his helmet, delaying his escape further. He finally ejected through reinforced canopy with the aircraft vertical. The pilot sustained fatal injuries in a heavy landing in the seat with parachute only partly deployed
DATE: August 4, 1955
TAKE-OFF POINT: Thurleigh, Beds
CRASH LOCATION: Risley, Beds
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Sikorsky Dragonfly HR Mk 3 WG666
CREW FATALITIES: Lt G. Perks RN, National Aeronautical Establishment TP; Mr M.F. Burle, FTO
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Investigation of lateral control at altitude and maximum all-up weight
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Aircraft seen descending rapidly; break-up began at 2,000ft. FTO catapulted out just before impact. Structural failure of main rotor
DATE: November 27, 1955
TAKE-OFF POINT: Boscombe Down, Wilts
CRASH LOCATION: Sailisbury, Wilts
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: English Electric Canberra B(I) Mk 8
CREW FATALITIES: Sqn Ldr F.C. Cooke DFC, A&AEE Handling squadron TP; Flt Lt P. Hyden, navigator A&AEE Handling Squadron
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Production of pilot’s notes
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Soon after take-off with undercarriage still down, aircraft stalled and spun into ground
DATE: April 30, 1956
TAKE-OFF POINT: Boscombe Down, Wilts
CRASH LOCATION: Lyndhurst, Hants
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Westland Whirlwind HAR Mk 3 XJ395
CREW FATALITIES: Mr J.W. Lowman; Mr M. Booth; Miss G.M. Warman, all A&AEE FTOs
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Ceiling climb at 7,800lb all-up weight until rate of climb dropped below 100ft/min
ACCIDENT DETAIL: During descent from 11,300ft, at 9,000ft, cyclic control moved to port and could not be recovered. Control was lost, and the aircraft began to break up. The crew baled out, with the exception of one FTO, but only the pilot survived the descent from under 1,000ft
DATE: May 7, 1956
TAKE-OFF POINT: Boscombe Down, Wilts
CRASH LOCATION: English Channel 3 miles south of Shoreham
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: English Electric Canberra B(I) Mk 8 WT328
CREW FATALITIES: Sqn Ldr M.R. Alston, B Squadron A&AEE P; Flt Lt V.D. Hall, navigator B Squadron A&AEE
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Radio altimeter trials
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Hit sea
DATE: May 11, 1956
TAKE-OFF POINT: Farnborough, Hants
CRASH LOCATION: Southwick, Sussex
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Vickers Valiant B Mk 1 WP202
CREW FATALITIES: Sqn Ldr K. Orman, RAE Experimental Flying Department RAE TP; Flt Lt K.E.A. Evans, navigator, Experimental Flying Department RAE; unknown, Experimental Flying Department RAE FTO
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Vibration tests on a store. Test equipment failed to operate so aircraft flew round at high speed and low altitude to burn off fuel before landing
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Whilst doing this, the aircraft lost all electrical power and became impossible to control. The captain ordered the crew to abandon the aircraft but only the co-pilot survived this. The captain died in the subsequent crash
DATE: August 24, 1956
TAKE-OFF POINT: Moreton Valence, Glos
CRASH LOCATION: Wotton-under-Edge, Glos
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Gloster Javelin FAW Mk 4 XA644
CREW FATALITIES: Mr E.B. Smith, Gloster Aircraft TP
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Test flight
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Involved in mid-air collision with CFS Hunter. Pilot and navigator involuntarily ejected by impact. Navigator and Hunter pilot survived. Shroud lines were severed on Smith’s seat
DATE: September 28, 1956
TAKE-OFF POINT: Martlesham Heath, Suffolk
CRASH LOCATION: Martlesham Heath, Suffolk
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: English Electric Canberra T Mk 4 WE189
CREW FATALITIES: Flt Lt L.A. Coe, Blind Landing Experimental Unit TP; Mr J. Birkle, BLEU FTO
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Blind landing trials at Wittering
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Attempted to climb away after undershooting in misjudged approach to Martlesham but port engine stalled and aircraft turned inverted before diving into ground
DATE: December 7, 1956
TAKE-OFF POINT: Woodford, Lancs
CRASH LOCATION: Foolow (Eyam), Derby
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Avro Shackleton MR Mk 3 WR970
CREW FATALITIES: Sqn Ldr J.B. Wales OBE DFC TD, Avro senior production TP; Mr G.A. Blake, Avro flight engineer; Mr C. O’Neill, Avro FTO; Mr R.A. Greenhalgh, Avro FTO
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Test of stall warning detectors
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Aircraft intentionally stalled with bomb doors open and radome fully extended but it suddenly flicked, inverted and spun into cloud. It emerged under some control but the engines would not respond owing to oiling-up and flooding so aircraft continued to descend, finally stalling and hitting the ground after attempt to turn to port
DATE: November 6, 1957
TAKE-OFF POINT: Filton, Bristol
CRASH LOCATION: Downend, Bristol
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Bristol Britannia 301 G-ANCA
CREW FATALITIES: E. Statham, Bristol Aeroplane Company TP
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: —
ACCIDENT DETAIL: —
DATE: November 28, 1957
TAKE-OFF POINT: Hucknall, Notts (Tethered flight)
CRASH LOCATION: Hucknall, Notts
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Rolls-Royce Thrust Measuring Rig XK426
CREW FATALITIES: Wg Cdr H.G.F. Larsen DFC, RAE Bedford TP
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Tethered test
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Rig lifted to about 30ft then toppled, striking ground heavily on rear legs. Rig rebounded under power, again to about 30ft. It then fell back hitting the ground with a swinging motion, hitting the gantry banked at about 30°, killing the pilot
DATE: December 9, 1957
TAKE-OFF POINT: Pershore (Radar Research Flying Unit) , Worcs
CRASH LOCATION: Carnedd Llywelyn, Caernarvonshire
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: English Electric Canberra B Mk 2 WK129
CREW FATALITIES: Flt Lt W.A. Bell, P; Flt Lt K.C.F. Shelley, navigator
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Radar trials at 2,000ft
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Aircraft flew into high ground at Carnedd Llywelyn
DATE: February 26, 1958
TAKE-OFF POINT: Boscombe Down, Wilts
CRASH LOCATION: Kingston, Hants
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Gloster Javelin FAW Mk 7 XH714
CREW FATALITIES: Flt Lt R.S. May. A Squadron A&AEE TP; Fg Off J.M.V. Coates, A Squadron A&AEE navigator
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: —
ACCIDENT DETAIL: The pilot was inadvertently ejected at 5,000ft owing to seat latch not being secured. He was entangled in the seat and unable to leave it. The navigator ejected at 2,000ft but the seat drogue disconnected early and he left the seat at insufficient height for his parachute to deploy
DATE: June 5, 1958
TAKE-OFF POINT: Boscombe Down, Wilts
CRASH LOCATION: Boscombe Down, Wilts
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Saunders-Roe SR.53 XD151
CREW FATALITIES: Sqn Ldr J.S. Booth DFC, Saunders-Roe CTP
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: —
ACCIDENT DETAIL: For reasons never determined the pilot cut the rocket engine during take-off. The braking parachute Roman-candled and the aircraft broke up on colliding with an approach light post. The pilot, still in his seat, was thrown from the aircraft and died instantly
DATE: September 20, 1958
TAKE-OFF POINT: Hucknall, Notts
CRASH LOCATION: Syerston, Notts
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Avro Vulcan B Mk 1 VX770
CREW FATALITIES: Mr K.R. Sturt; Mr J. Ford, both Rolls-Royce Hucknall TPs; Mr Howkins, Rolls-Royce Hucknall FTO; Flt Lt R.M. Parrot, navigator
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Aircraft participating in Syerston Battle of Britain display
ACCIDENT DETAIL: During display it was overstressed leading to break-up of starboard wing and crashed on airfield
DATE: October 9, 1958
TAKE-OFF POINT: Warton, Lancs
CRASH LOCATION: Liverpool Bay
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: English Electric Canberra PR Mk 9 XH129
CREW FATALITIES: Mr P.H. Durrant, English Electric FTO
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: 5g manœuvres at design IAS prior to delivery to A&AEE
ACCIDENT DETAIL: During one high-g turn, aircraft rolled to starboard and entered steep spiral dive during which pilot ejected. There was no ejection seat in the nose position which the FTO occupied and he was unable to leave the aircraft
DATE: October 15, 1958
TAKE-OFF POINT: Boscombe Down, Wilts
CRASH LOCATION: Stapleford, Wilts
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Folland Gnat Mk 1 XK767
CREW FATALITIES: Sqn Ldr E.J. Roberts AFC, A Squadron A&AEE TP
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Flight to study handling characteristics of aircraft at low speed in event of tailplane electric trimmer failure.
ACCIDENT DETAIL: About 6min after take-off the aircraft was seen in apparent difficulty climbing steeply. The pilot was seen to eject but was unable to leave the Folland seat, due to the failure of the harness release, and struck the ground
DATE: October 20, 1958
TAKE-OFF POINT: Farnborough, Hants
CRASH LOCATION: Malshanger, Hants
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Gloster Meteor NF Mk 11 WD765
CREW FATALITIES: Lt W.R Shackleton RN
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Handling assessment at high Mach number at 40,000ft
ACCIDENT DETAIL: The rear fuselage detached and the aircraft entered a flat spin. The pilot was unable to jettison canopy until too late
DATE: August 20, 1959
TAKE-OFF POINT: Boscombe Down, Wilts
CRASH LOCATION: Irish Sea (off St Brides Bay, Wales)
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Handley Page Victor B Mk 2 XH668
CREW FATALITIES: Sqn Ldr R.J. Morgan; Sqn Ldr G.B. Stockman, both B Squadron A&AEE TPs; Flt Lt L.N. Williams, navigator; Flt Lt R.J. Hannaford, radio op; Mr R. Williams, Handley Page FTO
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: High-speed manœuvrability trials
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Fracture of starboard wingtip pitot head tube caused low speed input to automatic Mach trimmer and stall detector which lowered the elevators and extended the leading-edge flaps. A high-speed dive was thus initiated and a structural break-up began just before impact with the sea at Mach 0.85
DATE: October 12, 1959
TAKE-OFF POINT: Boscombe Down, Wilts
CRASH LOCATION: Lyndhurst, Hants
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Blackburn Buccaneer S Mk 1 XK490
CREW FATALITIES: Mr J.G. Joyce, Blackburn FTO
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Assessment of aircraft for benefit under US Mutual Defence Aid programme
ACCIDENT DETAIL: NASA pilot exceeded his brief by investigating single-engine flight in low-speed blown condition which had not yet been explored by Blackburn. At 10,000ft aircraft stalled, spun and impacted ground inverted. Crew ejected too late
DATE: October 19, 1959
TAKE-OFF POINT: Boscombe Down, Wilts
CRASH LOCATION: Havant, Hants
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Vickers Varsity T Mk 1 WF381
CREW FATALITIES: Sqn Ldr N.G. Emslie, TP; Flt Lt V.A. Sawkins, flight engineer ETPS
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Preview handling test, asymmetric safety speed assessment
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Pilot lost control after applying full power to one engine at 10,000ft in take-off configuration; aircraft stalled and entered spin from which it did not recover
DATE: April 26, 1960
TAKE-OFF POINT: Filton
CRASH LOCATION: Filton
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Fairey Gannet AEW Mk 3 XJ440
CREW FATALITIES: Mr R. Hazelhurst, Bristol Siddeley Engines TP; Mr P. Field, Bristol Siddeley Engines FTO; Mr E. Potter, Bristol Siddeley Engines FTO
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Assessment of Double Mamba oil system in single-engine configuration
ACCIDENT DETAIL: When on the base leg of the landing approach in single-engine flight the aircraft stalled and spun to the ground
DATE: November 11, 1960
TAKE-OFF POINT: Boscombe Down, Wilts
CRASH LOCATION: Lyme Regis, Dorset
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Gloster Meteor T Mk 7 WF766
CREW FATALITIES: Flt Lt J.S. Duncan AFC, P Handling Squadron A&AEE
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: —
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Seventeen minutes after take-off, aircraft disintegrated in normal flight
DATE: November 16, 1960
TAKE-OFF POINT: Luton, Beds
CRASH LOCATION: Langford, Beds
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Hunting Jet Provost T Mk 2B G-AOUS
CREW FATALITIES: Lt-Cdr J.R.S. Overbury, Hunting TP
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Diving trials
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Aircraft was recovering from a dive to maximum design speed when the nosewheel descended, opening the wheel bay doors, which detached. This caused nose-up trim change and severe overstressing leading to the detachment of both wings and total break-up of aircraft structure
DATE: August 31, 1961
TAKE-OFF POINT: HMS Hermes in Lyme Bay, Dorset
CRASH LOCATION: Lyme Bay, Dorset
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Blackburn Buccaneer S Mk 1 XK529
CREW FATALITIES: Lt- Cdr O. Brown RN, TP; Mr T.D. Dunn, FTO, both C Squadron A&AEE
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: The aircraft was deliberately over-trimmed for a series of catapult trials to determine hands-off launch techniques
ACCIDENT DETAIL: After launch the aircraft pitched up, stalled, fell into the sea and sank nose-down almost immediately
DATE: March 23, 1962
TAKE-OFF POINT: Radlett, Herts
CRASH LOCATION: Stubton, Lincs
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Handley Page Victor B Mk 2 XL159
CREW FATALITIES: Mr M.P. Evans, A&AEE navigator; Mr P. Evans, Handley Page FTO
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Testing of newly-installed fixed leading edge droops replacing earlier leading-edge flaps
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Aircraft entered a stable deep stall; pilots ejected successfully and one rear crew member managed to abandon the aircraft
DATE: July 5, 1962
TAKE-OFF POINT: Boscombe Down, Wilts
CRASH LOCATION: Boscombe Down, Wilts
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Blackburn Buccaneer S Mk 1 XN922
CREW FATALITIES: Lt G.W.N. Jones, RN, C Squadron A&AEE observer
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Handling trials with asymmetric bomb load
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Boundary layer blow system not available to pilot and aircraft crashd into offices on take-off, killing one man and seriously injuring another. Pilot survived, observer killed
DATE: October 25, 1962
TAKE-OFF POINT: Farnborough, Hants
CRASH LOCATION: Farnborough, Hants
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: English Electric Canberra B Mk 2 WJ730
CREW FATALITIES: Flt Lt D. Oldham, P; Flt Lt W.I.D. England, ETPS
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Single-engine safety speed evaluation
ACCIDENT DETAIL: At 800ft in the circuit directional control was lost, aircraft yawed, rolled inverted and crashed on airfield
DATE: February 19, 1963
TAKE-OFF POINT: Holme-on-Spalding Moor, Lancs
CRASH LOCATION: Holme-on-Spalding Moor, Lancs
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Blackburn Buccaneer S Mk 1 XN952
CREW FATALITIES: Mr G.R.J. Parker, Hawker Siddeley/Blackburn TP; Mr G.R. Copeman, Hawker Siddeley/Blackburn FTO
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: LABS manœuvre over airfield
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Following manœuvre, aircraft stalled and spun into the ground at very high speed. Both pilot and observer attempted ejection but were unsuccessful
DATE: October 2, 1963
TAKE-OFF POINT: Belfast
CRASH LOCATION: Crashed on airfield
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Short SC.1 XG905
CREW FATALITIES: Mr J.R. Green, Shorts Belfast TP
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Evaluation of auto-stabiliser in attitude control
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Gyro input fault at 30ft above ground, produced roll and pitch inputs which were impossible for the pilot to control. Aircraft rolled inverted and crashed 5min after take-off
DATE: October 22, 1963
TAKE-OFF POINT: Hurn, Dorset
CRASH LOCATION: Cricklade, Wilts
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: BAC One-Eleven Series 200 G-ASHG
CREW FATALITIES: M.J. Lithgow, BAC TP + 6 others
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: —
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Aircraft entered deep stall from which recovery proved impossible
DATE: March 8, 1966
TAKE-OFF POINT: Cambridge
CRASH LOCATION: West Wratting, Suffolk
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Marshalls MA4 VF665
CREW FATALITIES: —
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Position-error measurement
ACCIDENT DETAIL: About 50min into a flight to measure position errors, aircraft high-lift research vehicle converted from Auster AOP.6 was seen apparently out of control at about 3,500ft; it descended almost vertically to impact
DATE: April 18, 1966
TAKE-OFF POINT: Chester
CRASH LOCATION: Llanarmom Dyffryn Ceirog, Denbighshire
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: de Havilland Vampire T Mk 55 5C-YA
CREW FATALITIES: Mr A. Brandon, TP; Mr A. Chalke, FTO
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Post major servicing test flight following wheels-up landing in Austria
ACCIDENT DETAIL: After take-off the aircraft suffered a total electrical failure owing to the generator drive having failed. The pitot heater would have decayed, giving spurious information from all electrical and pressure instruments. Control was lost and the aircraft struck a mountain
DATE: June 3, 1966
TAKE-OFF POINT: Hatfield, Herts
CRASH LOCATION: Felthorpe, Norfolk
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Hawker Siddeley Trident Mk 1 G-ARPY
CREW FATALITIES: P. Barlow, Hawker Siddeley Hatfield TP; G.B.S. Errington, Hawker Siddeley Hatfield TP; C.W. Patterson, radio officer; E. Brackstone-Brown, FTO
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Production test flight with aft c.g.
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Aircraft entered deep stall from which recovery proved impossible
DATE: June 30, 1966
TAKE-OFF POINT: West Freugh
CRASH LOCATION: Luce Bay, Wigtownshire
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Blackburn (Hawker Siddeley) Buccaneer S Mk 1 XK528
CREW FATALITIES: Flt Lt W.C. Mackinson, P; Flt Lt C.M. Pridmore, navigator; both of Experimental Flying Unit, RAE Farnborough
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: LABS system trials
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Fuel line fatigue failure, ruptured in starboard engine, caused major fire and disintegration of engine. Main fuel tanks ruptured and exploded, aircraft rolled left into sea
DATE: May 14, 1968
TAKE-OFF POINT: Boscombe Down, Wilts
CRASH LOCATION: East Knoyle, Wilts
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: Hawker Hunter Mk 7A XL611
CREW FATALITIES: Flt Lt R.L. Beeson; Sqn Ldr J.P.H. Mercer, both B Squadron A&AEE
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: —
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Pilot talked to control 12sec after take-off and radar trace continued for 3 miles then vanished. Aircraft dived vertically into ground
DATE: May 1, 1970
TAKE-OFF POINT: Boscombe Down, Wilts
CRASH LOCATION: Lyme Bay, Dorset
AIRCRAFT TYPE & SERIAL: English Electric Canberra TT Mk 18 WJ632
CREW FATALITIES: Flt Lt G.W.E. Foster AFM, B Squadron A&AEE FTO
PURPOSE OF TEST FLIGHT: Asymmetric assessment
ACCIDENT DETAIL: Pilot, Maj J.R. Weaver USAF, lost control whilst attempting to establish safety speed at 4,000ft; with his concentration on using aileron instead of rudder, the sideslip limits were exceeded. The fin stalled and the aircraft spun into the sea. Navigator J. Nicol was rescued by helicopter, the pilot drowned and the observer remains missing.