1942 Incident Logs

Select a month below to see the incidents for that month.

DateTypeSerialUnitLocationNotes
02/01/1942WellingtonZ1207142sqnBinbrookThis aircraft was damaged whilst parked. A vehicle was driven under the port wing without the driver having checked for clearance. The top of the vehicle struck the port aileron and damaged it. The aircraft was unoccupied and no injuries were reported.
02/01/1942WellingtonZ840712sqnBinbrookThis aircraft was damaged at 1700hrs when the brakes failed as the aircraft was taxying back to dispersal after a compass-swing causing it to strike parked Wellington Z8491. Pilot Sgt JD McKnight and crew were unhurt.
02/01/1942WellingtonZ849112sqnBinbrookThis aircraft was damaged at 1799hrs whilst parked when it was struck by taxying Wellington Z8407. The aircraft was unoccupied at the time and no injuries were reported.
04/01/1942LysanderT14421AASGreat CarltonThis aircraft was wrecked at 1510hrs when it struck a hedge whilst making a forced landing ater then engine failed in flight on a target-towing sortie. Pilot Sgt Gius (Polish) was unhurt.
05/01/1942HurricaneV673456OTUnr HolbeachCrashed Cranmore Lane, Holbeach, Sgt JBR Lalonde (Canadian) was killed in this accident when his Hurricane dived out of thick cloud at high speed into the ground during a heavy snow storm. The aircraft crashed 400m west of the southern end of Cranmer Lane, two miles west of Holbeach at 1100hrs. No accident record found for this incident.
05/01/1942BlenheimT19561AASRed Farm, nr Donna NookThis aircraft was wrecked at 1630hrs whilst on a practice flight. The port engine failed in flight, followed by the starboard engine losing power and then failing. The pilot belly-landed at Red Farm, damaging the aircraft beyond repair. Pilot Sgt SJ Nicolle and his crew were unhurt.
05/01/1942LysanderV98655GrpTTFSouth KymeAirborne from Swanton Morley for a target-towing sortie, the aircraft force-landed at 1330hrs 0.5 miles northeast of South Kyme after running low on fuel in poor weather and was written off when it came to rest in a river. Pilot Sgt JE Richards was unhurt but his unnamed passenger is recorded as suffering minor injuries.
06/01/1942ManchesterL7485207sqnBottesfordThis aircraft was damaged at 1745hrs when one propellor struck a bomb trolley that had been left parked by the side of the runway after the aircraft skidded on the frosty airfield surface. Pilot Sgt JJV McCarthy (New Zealander) and his crew were unhurt.
06/01/1942SpitfireAA879616sqnKirton in LindseySgt G L Davidson (New Zealand) was returning from a search light co-op exercise when he undershot the flight path on landing and crashed in a field. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
06/01/1942SpitfireR7343133sqnKirton in LindseyP/O E H Bickaler (American) landed at 15:35 after his first flight on type with the undercarriage partially retracted. He failed to check that they were fully down. Possibly due to selecting undercarriage down with the engine throttled right back causing insufficient RPM to work the hydraulic system. The aircraft was beyond the capability of the unit to repair.
06/01/1942HampdenAD89649sqnMiddle Street, South CarltonThis aircraft was wrecked when it crashed and caught fire after stalling on approach to land during a local flying sortie at 0700hrs. Pilot Sgt GL West killed, wireless operator Sgt GT Atkins killed.
06/01/1942HampdenAE37249sqnScamptonThis aircraft was damaged at 0255hrs when the undercarriage collapsed as the aircraft touched down. The port engine had cut out shortly after take-off, and the aircraft was unable to maintain height on one engine with a full bombload. The pilot returned to the airfield but did not allow sufficient time for the undercarriage to fully lock before landing. Pilot Sgt Burton and crew were unhurt.
07/01/1942WellingtonZ848912sqnBinbrookThis aircraft was damaged on landing from a night-flying test at 1315hrs. The pilot had feathered the port propellor in flight, and this failed to unfeather. The pilot misjudged his approach in poor weather and the aircraft overshot the runway, running through a barbed wire fence and striking a gun post on the airfield. Pilot Sgt WEA Moore and his crew were uninjured.
08/01/1942ManchesterL745997sqnConingsbyThis aircraft was wrecked on take-off for a practice dive-bombing sortie at 1450hrs. The bomb jettison switch bars were activated either accidentally or through a fault, causing the practice bombs to drop off their carriers onto the bomb-doors. One bomb detonated as the aircraft became airborne, blinding the pilot with thick smoke. The pilot throttled back and stalled the aircraft back onto the runway. Pilot F/Sgt LH Hartley and his 3 crewmen were all injured.
09/01/1942OxfordX6661RAFC4 miles southwest of DigbyThis aircraft was wrecked when it crashed after colliding with Spitfire AD426 of 412sqn, which survived. Instructor Sgt R McCoy and pupil LAC E Aberdeen were both killed.
09/01/1942WellingtonZ835612sqnBinbrookThis aircraft was damaged whilst parked unoccupied at 1000hrs when it was struck by taxying Wellington Z8502. No injuries reported.
09/01/1942WellingtonZ850212sqnBinbrookThis aircraft was damaged at 1000hrs whilst taxying back to dispersal on return from a sortie. A strong gust of wind swung the aircraft and it struck parked Wellington Z8356. Pilot Sgt PG Sanders and his crew were uninjured.
09/01/1942BeaufighterR2462409sqnColeby GrangeThis aircraft was damaged whilst taxying after a patrol at 0810hrs when it slid on frosty ground and struck a parked aircraft. Pilot P/O EL MacMillan and his unnamed observer were unhurt.
09/01/1942HampdenP206716 OTUConingsbyThis aircraft was damaged whilst taxying when the port airscrew struck a barrow which had been left at the airfield perimeter. Pilot P/O DC Kay and crew were unhurt.
09/01/1942SpitfireBL29892sqnnr DigbyThis aircraft was wrecked when it crashed on return from a sortie into Ashby Wood near the airfield. The wreck was not discovered until 2 days later. Pilot Sgt HV Payne (Canadian) was killed.
09/01/1942HampdenAT12783sqnSedgebrookCoded OL-L, Airborne 0257 from Scampton for Brest. Ran out of fuel and was wrecked in an emergency landing at Sedgebrook, 4 miles NW of Grantham. No crew injuries. Sgt E.M.Price P/O R.N.Rayne Sgt R.K.Osborne Sgt W.Lown.
09/01/1942HampdenAE130455sqnSkellingthorpeThis aircraft was damaged at 1015hrs on landing from a training flight. On approach, the starboard engine had cut out due to fuel starvation as a result of flaws in the fuel system design. This happened with flaps and undercarriage lowered and caused a violent spin, which the pilot recovered from. A heavy landing on the airfield followed immediately afterwards, with the aircraft bouncing and overshooting the runway through a hedge and striking a telegraph pole. Pilot Sgt EH Busfield and crew were unhurt.
10/01/1942WellingtonZ8342305sqnGrimsbyThis aircraft was damaged at 2310hrs whilst taxying. The aircraft ran off the runway into soft ground and tipped onto its nose. Pilot Sgt B Soltysiak (Polish) and his crew were uninjured.
10/01/1942WellingtonW561112sqnnr BrumbyCoded PH-? Airborne at 1803hrs for Wilhelmshaven. The aircraft was destroyed on return when it crashed at 2330hrs as the result of an engine fire, 1 mile east of Brumby. The two badly injured survivors were taken Scunthorpe Hospital. The cause of the crash was attributed to failure of the port engine, followed by rapid loss of height. F/Sgt C.F.O'Connell (New Zealander) killed, Sgt D.A.Laing killed, P/O H.A.Stickings injured, Sgt C.C.McAllister injured, Sgt T.A.Delaney killed, F/Sgt E.A.Parsons (Canadian) killed.
11/01/1942BeaufighterR2439409sqn1 1/2 miles north-east of Coleby GrangeThis aircraft was wrecked when it crashed at 0215hrs whilst attempting to make a circuit with the props not fully in fine pitch and after the pilot had raised the flaps before retracting the undercarriage. Pilot P/O WW Taylor and navigator Sgt P Williment were both slightly injured. The Squadron's ORB quotes the aircraft as being "an utter shambles" after the crash.
11/01/1942HenleyL33201489fltSutton BridgeThis aircraft was damaged when it bounced on landing at 1500hrs after hitting a bump on the airfield, causing it to swing and strike parked Master T8753. Pilot Sgt WR Badenoch (Canadian) was unhurt.
11/01/1942MasterT875356OTUSutton BridgeThis aircraft was damaged at 1500hrs when it was struck whilst parked by Henley L3320 which was landing at the time.
14/01/1942HurricaneV660956OTUMores Farm, Long SuttonCrashed whilst force-landing, no further details known, no accident record card seen for this incident, incident not mentioned in 56OTU records.
14/01/1942HampdenAE292106sqnPoynton Hall, ButterwickCoded ZN-? The aircraft spun in after stalling in a steep turn on a training flight. Sgt D. Lawton killed, Sgt C.W. Wight killed.
14/01/1942HampdenAE14549sqnScamptonThis aircraft was damaged at 1745hrs whilst taxying on a narrow strip of runway which had just been cleared after a heavy snowfall. The aircraft skidded on the rough icy surface of the runway and the undercarriage collapsed. Pilot P/O RG Alfry and crew were unhurt.
15/01/1942HampdenX3131106sqnConingsbyThis aircraft was damaged when it landed wheels-up on the airfield after the port engine failed in flight. The aircraft slid across the airfield, crashed through the boundary fence and came to rest in a field. Pilot Sgt Power and crew were unhurt.
15/01/1942SpitfireAD546616sqnGoxhillSgt R F McDermuid (Canadian) attempted to land on unserviceable snowdrift part of the runway, it was clearly marked with two lines of red flags. The aircraft struck a perimeter light with its port wheel and ran off on to soft ground causing the aircraft to overturn. It was beyond repair.
15/01/1942WellingtonZ1259301sqnnr StenigotCoded GR-O, this aircraft was damaged at 2220hrs in a forced landing after the engines cut out due to lack of fuel caused by an airlock in the fuel system on return from operations. Pilot F/O H Sliwinski (Polish) and crew were unhurt, one member baling out successfully from 300 feet before the aircraft made a forced landing 2.5 miles east of Stenigot.
15/01/1942HampdenP209450sqnSkellingthorpeThis aircraft was damaged on landing at 0035hrs. As the pilot approached the airfield, the flarepath was partially obscured by fog, causing the aircraft to run off the runway into soft ground. The wheels bogged down and the aircraft tipped onto its nose. Pilot P/O Ferrie and crew were unhurt.
16/01/1942HampdenP1216455sqnDonna NookThis aircraft was damaged when the undercarriage collapsed in a heavy landing after the pilot stalled the aircraft 200 feet above the ground and dropped it onto the runway heavily at 1400hrs. North Coates ORB records 1 person on board being injured but there is no record of injuries to pilot Sgt AH Wincott or his crew noted on the accident card.
16/01/1942OxfordX6660RAFCFulbeckThis aircraft was damaged when it undershot the airfield and hit trees whilst landing at night. No further details recorded.
16/01/1942HampdenP2075455sqnHemswellThis aircraft was damaged when it undershot the airfield whilst making a forced landing. The aircraft had engine troubles during a cross-country flight and the pilot had become lost in poor weather. On locating the airfield, the pilot failed to receive a response within an hour to his request for permission to land and chose to make a forced landing. The aircraft touched down outside the airfield boundary and struck a defensive gun post, tearing the undercarriage off. Pilot P/O O Gandy and crew were unhurt.
16/01/1942WellingtonT1397301sqnHibaldstowCoded GR-A Airborne at 1748hrs from Hemswell for Hamburg. The aircraft was wrecked at 2340hrs in a crash- landing at Hibaldstow, 7 miles SE of Scunthorpe. The crash was attributed to the pilot being taken ill through lack of oxygen. A New type of oxygen mask was being trialled by crews on this raid and all crews using it reported it to be ineffective due to it freezing up. The aircraft caught fire on the ground. Pilot P/O Liszka (Polish) unhurt, Sgt Niezrecki (Polish) injured, F/O M.Kozmicki (Polish) injured, Sgt Janik (Polish) unhurt, Sgt Szturc (Polish) injured, Sgt C.K.Sulgut (Polish) unhurt.
16/01/1942ManchesterL749561sqnnr GrimoldbyCoded QR-? Airborne at 1730hrs 15/Jan/42 from Woolfox Lodge for Hamburg. The aircraft was wrecked when it ran out of fuel on the return and was abandoned to crash at 0100hrs in the vicinity of Grimoldby, 4 miles east of Louth. Earlier the crew had been ordered to divert to Bottesford, but lack of fuel and failure to raise the diversion station on W/T, coupled with adverse weather conditions, prompted the Captain to order his crew to bale out. F/O J.Beard, Sgt Haynes, F/Sgt Asson, Sgt O.W.J.Pearce, Sgt Sheppard, F/Sgt Underwood and Sgt Holmes were all uninjured.
17/01/1942HurricaneP377456OTUGedney Drove EndThis aircraft crashed whilst making a forced landing. No further details known, no accident record card seen, no mention of the incident in 56OTU records.
17/01/1942OxfordAB66112SFTSHarlaxtonThis aircraft was damaged when it undershot the runway and hit a pillbox whilst landing at night. No further details recorded.
18/01/1942HampdenAT11149sqnConingsbyThis aircraft was damaged during a night sortie. Failure of one engine caused the propellor and reduction gear to be lost, and the engine to catch fire in flight. The aircraft also appears to have been damaged in a heavy landing due to the above events. Pilot Sgt F Hill and his crew were uninjured.
18/01/1942BlenheimT18021AASManbyThis aircraft was damaged on return from an air firing exercise at 1110hrs. One engine lost power in flight, so the pilot returned on one engine. On approaching to land, the pilot did not allow sufficient time for the undercarriage to fully lock into place and it collapsed on touchdown. Pilot Sgt CD Farmer and his crew were unhurt.
19/01/1942HurricaneZ3076253sqnHibaldstowWhilst landing from a camera gunnery exercise at 1645hrs, this aircraft was damaged when it drifted off the runwway into a bank of snow whilst landing in a crosswind. The aircraft tipped onto its nose, pilot Sgt L H A McCarthy (New Zealander) was uninjured.
19/01/1942BeaufighterR2475409sqnPotterhanworth BoothsThis aircraft was destroyed at 1600hrs when it crashed into fields south of Plough Hill after the pilot lost control as the aircraft stalled as he attempted to turn whilst pulling out of a high-speed dive. The aircraft flicked inverted and struck the ground in this attitude. The crew had been carrying out an unbriefed mock attack of a flight of Spitfires whilst on a night-flying test. Pilot F/Sgt AI Murray (Canadian) and navigator Sgt LH Svendsen were both killed.
21/01/1942ManchesterL7391207sqnBottesfordThis aircraft was damaged whilst parked unoccupied at 1130hrs. It was struck by a lorry being driven under the wing by AC2 Fawkner, who had failed to check that there was sufficient clearance for the vehicle.
21/01/1942WellingtonR1244300sqnHemswellThis aircraft was damaged on a training flight when it swung off the runway and struck a pilot of cleared snow at the edge, damaging the undercarriage. The pilot took off again and made a circuit, before landing on one wheel. Pilot Sgt L Dzierebicki (Polish) and his crew were unhurt.
22/01/1942ManchesterL7317207sqnBottesfordThis aircraft was damaged whilst taxying along the peritrack in snowy conditions. One wheel slipped off the edge of the track, and the pilot attempted to force it back on by use of engine power instead of waiting for assistance. This caused the undercarriage to collapse. Pilot F/Sgt DB Nixon and crew were uninjured.
22/01/1942SpitfireAD22992sqnDigbyThis aircraft was wrecked when it collided in flight with Spitfire AB188 of 609sqn during mock combat overhead Digby airfield. Both aircraft crashed outside the airfield boundary. Pilot Sgt G DeRenzi was killed.
22/01/1942HudsonAM602407sqnDonna NookCoded M, this aircraft was destroyed when it caught fire after stalling and crashing whilst landing on return from operations at 2240hrs. The bombload exploded killing all 5 on board and a further 11 groundcrew plus 2 Army Sergeants, and injuring 16 others - 1 serious, 11 slightly and 4 shock cases. Pilot P/O RE Dann (Canadian) killed, Sgt JE Duval (Canadian) killed, Sgt SW Friend (Canadian) killed, Sgt GEA Romain (Canadian) killed, F/Sgt HA Wilkins (Canadian) killed. F/Sgt Wilkins' body was not found, he is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
22/01/1942HampdenAE267408sqnField adjoining RAF WaddingtonThis aircraft was damaged when it was diverted to Waddington to land from a nighttime cross-country sortie due to deteriorating weather at base. The pilot undershot the runway and landed in a field, damaging the aircraft when it struck posts set into the ground. Pilot Sgt GH Halcro and crew were unhurt .
22/01/1942SpitfireAB188609sqnnr BlankneyThis aircraft was wrecked when it collided in flight with Spitfire AD229 of 92sqn and lost its tail overhead Digby airfield whilst practising air combat with a new 609sqn pilot in another Spitfire. The 92sqn aircraft joined in the manoeuvres before the collision happened. Both aircraft crashed outside the airfield boundary. Pilot F/Lt JHM Offenburg DFC CdG (Belgian) was killed
22/01/1942HampdenAT114455sqnSkellingthorpeThis aircraft was damaged whilst parked at dispersal at 1630hrs. A Hampden of 50 Squadron ran up its engines in close proximity to this aircraft and the slipstream damaged the control surfaces.
23/01/1942WellingtonZ1285301sqnoff the coastCoded GR-S, Airborne at 1755hrs 22/Jan/42 from Hemswell for Munster. The aircraft was shot down by a night-fighter intruder off the Lincolnshire coast. Three bodies were later washed ashore and taken for burial in the Polish Plot at Newark. The rest of the crew are commemorated on the Northolt Memorial. Sgt K.Soroko (Polish) killed, Sgt P.Nocon (Polish) killed, P/O W.Reda (Polish) killed, Sgt BA Borecki (Polish) killed, Sgt C.Kosmalski (Polish) killed, Sgt A.Rokus (Polish) killed.
24/01/1942HampdenAE15850sqnSkellingthorpeThis aircraft was damaged at 1130hrs when the undercarriage collapsed after the pilot had landed downwind at excessive speed, causing the aircraft to swing off the runway. Pilot Sgt AC Wiseman (Canadian) and his crew were unhurt.
24/01/1942WellingtonZ1311142sqnWaddingtonThis aircraft was damaged on landing after encountering engine trouble whilst on a cross-country training flight. The state of the airfield surface meant that the pilot was unable to brake the aircraft on the runway sufficient to prevent it overshooting. The aircraft ran into a boundary hedge and the undercarriage collapsed. Pilot Sgt NJ Warfield and crew were unhurt.
24/01/1942SpitfireBL466412 (Can) SqnWellingoreSgt J A Dow (Canadian) came in too fast at 11:40 on his first flight with the squadron. He overshot the runway, his brakes were useless on the snowy and wet ground and he slid in to a storage tank. The aircraft was damaged too badly and needed to be dismantled and sent away for repair.
25/01/1942HampdenAT12949sqnBransbyCoded EA-O, Airborne at 1712hrs from Scampton for Brest, the aircraft suffered a double engine failure, banked steeply to port, pitched into a vertical dive and crashed almost immediately, just to the S of Sturton by Stow, 8 miles NW of Lincoln. Sgt Jardine was on attachment from 408 Sdn. Sgt C.D.S.Stewart killed, Sgt K.E.Northrop killed, Sgt A.Hibbitt killed, Sgt L.A.Jardine killed.
26/01/1942WellingtonW558512sqnBinbrookCoded PH-D, Airborne from Binbrook at 1815hrs for Hannover. This aircraft was wrecked on take-off for operations. As the aircraft became airborne, the port engine failed and the aircraft lost height, sinking to the ground and striking a concrete pillbox. As a result of the crash, the bombload was dislodged and exploded at 1830hrs. 4 other aircraft were damaged by this incident. Sgt JD McKnight injured, Sgt A.G. Walker killed, F/Sgt J.A. Fleming (New Zealander) killed, Sgt H.E. Godson killed, Sgt H.F. Scholes injured, Sgt A.H. Coupe killed.
26/01/1942SpitfireP7964133sqnKirton in LindseyP/O W R Wallace (American) was out on a training exercise practicing landings. A lack of air pressure and an unserviceable BTH Compressor caused a failure of the flaps and brakes, he was unable to stop after landing and crossed the perimeter and hit a trailer on the edge of the field. The aircraft was too badly damaged and had to be returned to the factory for repair.
26/01/1942HampdenP118614OTUnr PinchbeckAirborne from Cottesmore on a night high-level bombing practise sortie. The aircraft dived in 1 mile north of Pinchbeck at 0540hrs, with the reason for crash not ascertained. P/O J.M. Marok (American) killed, P/O W.H. Lynch (Australian) killed, P/O S.S. White (Australian) killed, Sgt E. O'Connell (Australian) killed.
27/01/1942SpitfireAA966616sqnKirton LindseyThis aircraft was damaged when the undercarriage collapsed on touchdown after the pilot stalled the aircraft at 10 feet above the runway. The aircraft slid to a halt with damage sustained to the underside and propellor. Pilot A/F/LT Heppell was unhurt.
27/01/1942ManchesterL7419207sqnWaddingtonThis aircraft was damaged when the undercarriage collapsed in a heavy landing from a night-flying test. The windscreen iced up and falling snow made forward vision difficult. Pilot F/Sgt GK Hathersich and crew were unhurt.
28/01/1942WellingtonR1274103 SqnElsham WoldsThis aircraft was damaged on landing during a training flight at 2015hrs when the pilot inadvertently raised the undercarriage instead of the flaps on touchdown. Pilot P/O DPS Smith (Australian) and crew were unhurt.
28/01/1942SpitfireAD575616sqnKirton in LindseyReturning from a convoy patrol at 10:00 P/O A H Gunn (Rhodesian) had a heavy landing. He held off too high and stalled from 20 feet, the undercarriage collapsed on landing. The aircraft had to be dismantled and sent away for repair.
29/01/1942HerefordL61008FPPnr WellingoreThis aircraft was damaged at 1515hrs whilst preparing to land at Cranwell on a delivery flight. The port engine cut out in flight due to fuel starvation after the flight engineer failed to change the feed to be from a full tank. The aircraft force-landed in a field 1 mile south of Wellingore. Pilot ATA 1st Officer SE Mitchell and the unnamed flight engineer were unhurt.
30/01/1942ProctorP62471SS CranwellAC2 H H Sandy was starting the aircraft up at 11:30 for a ground test run, the engine fired and the props struck the airman on both arms.
30/01/1942WellingtonR129721OTUBottesfordThis aircraft is recorded as having been damaged when the pilot overshot the runway on landing at 1530hrs. No further detail was recorded on the accident card.
31/01/1942WellingtonR1445103 SqnElsham WoldsThis aircraft was damaged at 1220hrs whilst landing at base following return from a training flight after one engine failed. The aircraft landed slightly tail-down and the tailwheel was damaged on striking the frozen ground. Pilot S/Ldr O Godfrey and his crew were unhurt.

February

DateTypeSerialUnitLocationNotes
01/02/1942BeaufighterR2342409sqnColeby GrangeThis aircraft was damaged at 0145hrs when the undercarriage collapsed after the aircraft bounced on a heavy touchdown. Pilot Sgt AD Boyle and his unnamed navigator were unhurt.
01/02/1942SpitfireBL32292sqnDigbyThe Aircraft was parked in the dispersal pen on the ground when it caught fire and was written off. The record card states that it is probable that a faulty heater lamp is to blame. On examination a number of unserviceable lamps were being used at the squadron.
05/02/1942SpitfireW3379133sqnKirton in LindseyF/Sgt F B Austin (American) whilst departing on an operational patrol at 10:15 struck a snowdrift on take off. He failed to used the runway that had been cleared of snow.
06/02/1942WellingtonZ1258301sqnHemswellThis aircraft was damaged on return from operations. The photoflash flare had failed to release over the target but fell free of the aircraft as it stopped at the end of its landing run and exploded on the runway. Pilot F/O BB Janas (Polish) and his crew were uninjured.
06/02/1942HavocAH4581459fltHibaldstowThis aircraft was damaged when the starboard undercarriage leg collapsed on landing, causing the aircraft to run off the runway. Pilot P/O JA Gunn and crew were unhurt.
06/02/1942LancasterT754944sqnWaddingtonThis aircraft was damaged after landing at 1100hrs when the tailwheel struck a ridge of frozen snow away from cleared runway areas in poor visibility. Pilot S/Ldr JD Nettleton (South African) and crew were unhurt.
07/02/1942HurricaneZ3501253sqnHibaldstowWhilst landing at dusk, this aircraft was damaged when pilot Sgt B A Shaw touched down before the aircraft's undercarriage was fully locked into position. The aircraft swung off the runway and the undercarriage collapsed.
07/02/1942HampdenL412549sqnScamptonCoded EA-? Whilst taking off for a mine-laying sortie this aircraft was wrecked when it swung off the runway and struck a large bank of frozen snow and crashed on the airfield at 1420hrs. Pilot Sgt Reid (New Zealander) and his crew were unhurt.
07/02/1942LancasterL754244sqnSkellingthorpeCoded KM-? This was the first Lancaster to be lost. The aircraft landed downwind on the short runway at Skellingthorpe at 1440hrs after the pilot misread the airfield's wind sock. Realising his error, F/Sgt Nicholson tried to turn onto the cross runway, but the aircraft skidded and ran into a bank of hard frozen snow. The undercarriage collapsed and the aircraft was deemed to be beyond economical repair. F/Sgt DF Nicholson and his crew were uninjured.
08/02/1942WellingtonX995412OTU1 mile northeast of WaddingtonAirborne from Waddington at 0135hrs to transit back to Chipping Warden, but crashed moments later whilst banking in the airfield circuit, coming down 1 mile northeast of the airfield. Sgt W.G. Smith (Canadian) killed, Sgt F. Llewellyn (American) killed, Sgt E.G. Hatch killed, Sgt R.G. Holmes killed, Sgt A Smith killed, F/Sgt WR Donaldson (Canadian) killed, Sgt TR Gamble killed.
08/02/1942WellingtonZ840712sqnGrimsbyThis aircraft was damaged on landing at 1430hrs when it swung off the runway and struck a mound of cleared snow. Pilot F/Sgt ND McGillis (Canadian) and his crew were unhurt.
09/02/1942ManchesterR577850sqnSkellingthorpeThis aircraft was damaged at 1745hrs when the pilot moved it off the runway to allow a following aircraft to take off first. The pilot taxied into a net-covered gun pit which had been covered by snow to give the appearance of solid ground, causing the undercarriage to collapse. Pilot S/Ldr GAC Potts and his crew were uninjured.
10/02/1942SpitfireAG28356OTUSutton BridgeThis aircraft was wrecked when it hit a patch of rough ground and overturned on landing, breaking the tail off. Pilot Sgt Johnson (Australian) was unhurt.
11/02/1942HampdenAE426106sqnWoodhall SpaThis aircraft was damaged whilst taxying to the runway for a night-flying test sortie at 1230hrs. One wheel left the peritrack due to a possible brake failure, and when the pilot attempted to rejoin the track the tailwheel fell into an ice-covered rut and collapsed. Pilot Sgt G Cooke and crew were unhurt.
12/02/1942ManchesterL738583sqnScamptonThis aircraft was damaged whilst landing at 1750hrs when it collided with a crashed aircraft which was blocking the runway. The pilot had attempted to land to one side of the runway but was unable to avoid striking the wreck as the heavily-laden aircraft responded sluggishly to the controls on the slippery airfield surface. Pilot P/O Cooper and crew were unhurt.
12/02/1942HampdenAE425106sqnWoodhall SpaCoded ZN-? Airborne at 2250hrs from Woodhall Spa for a mining sortie but immediately after take-off, at a height of just 40 feet the port engine cut, causing the Hampden to swing violently and crash into trees. Pilot P/O R Aytoun and his crew escaped uninjured. The mission was abandoned by the Squadron after this incident.
13/02/1942WellingtonR1414150sqnAnderby CreekThis aircraft was damaged at 0900hrs when the pilot force-landed in a field with the undercarriage retracted after the starboard engine failed in flight. Pilot F/Sgt FJ Denham and his crew were uninjured.
13/02/1942HampdenAD783455sqnEagleCoded UB-U, Airborne at 2243hrs 12/Feb/42 from Wigsley on a mine-laying sortie but turned for home early after experiencing engine trouble. The aircraft was destroyed when it stalled, dived into the ground from 800 feet, crashed and caught fire at 0153hrs near Eagle village while preparing to land. Sgt J.B.Kennedy (New Zealander) killed, Sgt V.J.Hopwood killed, Sgt W.L.Kelly killed, Sgt G.A.Metcalf killed.
13/02/1942HavocAH4801459fltHibaldstowThis aircraft was damaged when it overshot the runway after making a flapless landing with no brakes after the hydraulic system failed. Pilot Sgt JD Humphreys and crew were unhurt.
13/02/1942AnsonAW98214OTUWaddingtonThis aircraft was damaged when the tailwheel broke on landing as a result of damage inflicted in previous heavy landings. No injuries or crew names reported.
14/02/1942WellingtonZ1273301sqnHemswellThis aircraft was damaged on take-off for an air-firing sortie. The undercarriage failed to fully retract and the pilot was forced to make a precautionary landing with the wheels lowered by the emergency system after the undercarriage damage prevented normal operation. Pilot P/O W Glowacki (Polish) and his crew were uninjured.
15/02/1942HampdenL602014OTUGosberton RisegateAirborne from Cottesmore on a night sortie when one engine caught fire. The crew bailed out at 2020hrs after being unable to extinguish the fire and the aircraft subsequently crashed and was destroyed. This aircraft originally left the production line as a Hereford. Pilot P/O P Chinn and crew were unhurt.
15/02/1942WellingtonZ1315142sqnGrimsbyThis aircraft was damaged at 1730hrs whilst landing when the tailwheel collapsed after it struck a bomb which had been left by the side of the runway after the previous night's operations. Pilot Sgt NJ Warfield and his crew were unhurt.
16/02/1942WellingtonT2921103 SqnElsham WoldsThis aircraft was damaged on landing at 1335hrs when the tailwheel collapsed after striking a ridge of frozen snow on the runway. Pilot Sgt KH Frith and his crew were uninjured.
17/02/1942ProctorP63141SSEast Camp CranwellSgt L Oswiecinski (Polish) was killed when his Proctor crashed and caught fire, The aircraft spun out from a vertical turn and never recovered.
17/02/1942HurricaneZ705255OTUHemingby House farm nr HorncastleThis aircraft was destroyed when it flew into the ground during a snowstorm. Pilot Sgt J W Yost (Canadian) was killed.
17/02/1942HampdenP13391AASManbyThis aircraft was damaged at 1545hrs whilst parked on the airfield peritrack. It was struck by Blenheim Z6278 which had failed to climb out as expected on takeoff. Damage was caused to the port wingtip, the aircraft was unmanned at the time.
17/02/1942BlenheimZ62781AASManbyThis aircraft was involved in an accident on take-off for a practice bombing sortie at 1545hrs. The aircraft swung slightly on the airfield surface and due to incorrect trim did not climb away as quickly as expected, but struck the port wingtip of Hampden P1339 which was parked on the peritrack. Pilot P/O JB Goodwin and his crew were unhurt.
17/02/1942HudsonAM567407sqnNorth CoatesThis aircraft was destroyed at 1430hrs when it crashed and burned out shortly after take-off due to an aerial breaking and its insulation material jamming the rudder, causing the pilot to lose control of the aircraft. Pilot F/Sgt AW Goulding (Canadian) killed, F/Sgt JC Harris (Canadian) killed, Sgt WJT Flagg (Canadian) killed, Sgt RGE Whale (Canadian) killed.
18/02/1942HurricaneZ3171253sqnHibaldstowWhilst taxying out to take off for a convoy patrol at 1620hrs, F/Sgt J Risso (Free French) allowed his enthusiasm to get airborne again to vertake his caution and taxied too fast along the perimeter track. The aircraft swung off the track onto rough ground and tipped onto its nose.
19/02/1942WhitleyT47213OTUCranwellThis aircraft was damaged at 1545hrs when pilot P/O D A Clarke landed it heavily on a solo flight whilst inexperienced on type. The aircraft ballooned and the undercarriage collapsed.
20/02/1942WellingtonW541412sqnBinbrookThis aircraft was damaged by fire at 1420hrs whilst being repaired in a hangar by civilian contractors. Petrol dripping onto a faulty electric inspection lamp ignited when the lamp sparked. No injuries were reported.
20/02/1942OxfordAP407RAFCCranwellThis aircraft was damaged when it struck Wellington R1529 which was stationary on the runway. Pilot P/O Farne was unhurt.
20/02/1942WellingtonR15293OTUCranwellThis aircraft was damaged whilst stationary on the runway when it was struck by Oxford AP407, damaging the port undercarriage. Pilot F/Lt Hill and crew were unhurt.
20/02/1942LancasterL753844sqnWaddingtonCoded KM-? The aircraft was wrecked after it landed at Waddington at 1527hrs at too high a speed, swung off the runway into a ditch causing the undercarriage to collapse. The runway in use at the time was downwind, which was a significant contributing factor to the accident. Pilot Sgt JA Rowan-Parry and his crew were unhurt.
21/02/1942WellingtonZ1264300sqnHemswellThis aircraft was damaged whilst being towed when the tailwheel was broken due to an unauthorosed modification of the towing arm which prevented the automatic release from working. No injuries were reported as the aircraft was unoccupied at the time.
22/02/1942WellingtonR1463150sqnnr LouthCoded JN-? Airborne 2000hrs 21/Feb/42 from Snaith on an intruder sortie. While descending through cloud in order to establish their position, the bomber crashed at 0330hrs into a field at Asterby Top Farm, Goulceby, 7 miles SW of Louth, some 400 feet above sea level. The pilot had been cleared to descend to 900 feet through thick cloud and may have descended further in an attempt to see the ground or may have forgotten to adjust his altimeter pressure setting on return from operations, causing it to read higher than the correct altitude. P/O JB Birkes injured, F/Sgt D.Wormleighton killed, Sgt J.E.Blackburn killed, F/Sgt J.E.McAllister killed, Sgt E.F.Rawlings killed, F/Sgt O.D.Iland injured.
23/02/1942SpitfireW3380412sqnWellingoreOn returning at 16:30 from a filming mission pilot Sgt D R C Jamieson landed heavily on the runway on the starboard wheel, causing the starboard leg to collapse. The damage could be repaired on site.
24/02/1942OxfordV3510RAFCCranwellThis aircraft made a heavy landing, during which the tailwheel collapsed, damaging the tail unit. Pilot LAC Dobbie was unhurt.
24/02/1942WellingtonN2997103 SqnElsham WoldsThis aircraft was damaged when the tailwheel collapsed whilst taxying at 2100hrs due to wear and tear. Pilot F/Sgt J Jones and crew were unhurt.
24/02/1942WellingtonZ1275300sqnHemswellThis aircraft was damaged on landing when it skidded on the slippery airfield surface and ran into a heap of snow. Pilot Sgt S Zabicki (Polish) and his crew were uninjured.
24/02/1942HurricaneR26851AASManbyWhilst landing on a training sortie, Sgt F J Whyler swerved the aircraft to avoid workment pegging out lines for concrete pouring on the runway not in use and opened up the throttle to go around again for another approach. owing to a change in wind direction Sgt Whyler had to use that runway before it had been cleared. The aircraft stalled and tipped onto its nose.
25/02/1942WhitleyN15053OTUCranwellThis aircraft sustained minor damage when it landed with one undercarriage leg not fully locked down. The leg retracted on touchdown at 1155hrs, damaging the aircraft. The pilot, P/O F C Gill had not been taught to troubleshoot undercarriage faults due to the unit not having a serviceable training fuselage for tuition.
25/02/1942OxfordX7074RAFCFulbeckThis aircraft was slightly damaged when it undershot the runway on landing at night and hit a gun emplacement. No further details recorded.
25/02/1942HampdenAT11149sqnScamptonThis aircraft was damaged whilst taxying back to the squadron hangar on return from operations at 0002hrs. The tail unit struck a bank of frozen snow and collapsed. Pilot F/Sgt F Hill and crew were unhurt.
25/02/1942HurricaneBN284253sqnYewfield Farm, Holton-le-MoorThis aircraft crashed at 2015hrs after the engine stopped in flight. The pilot, Sgt A B Watson (Australian) had begun to bale out but was killed in the crash. The engine failure was due to fuel starvation as Sgt Watson had been flying for 37 minutes on the reserve fuel tank, having forgotten to switch to the main tanks after starting the engine.
26/02/1942WellingtonW537112sqnBinbrookThis aircraft was damaged when it struck a bomb trolley on the airfield whilst taxying. Pilot P/O JP Muirhead and his crew were uninjured.
26/02/1942BeaufighterR2472409sqnColeby GrangeThis aircraft was damaged on landing at 1600hrs when the tailwheel was torn off on contact with a frozen ridge of turf after the pilot landed on a rough section of the landing strip extension. Pilot S/Ldr RG Seys and his unnamed navigator were unhurt.
26/02/1942WellingtonZ1334460sqnGrimsbyThis aircraft was damaged whilst low-flying in bad weather at 1720hrs. The pilot became distracted by trying to read his map and the aircraft struck a tree. Pilot Sgt PJD Cooney (New Zealander) and his crew were uninjured.
26/02/1942HurricaneZ3588253sqnHibaldstowTaxying out at 1933hrs for a dusk patrol, Sgt D K Foster failed to see Hurricane Z3919 stationary in front of his aircraft and collided with it.
26/02/1942HurricaneZ3919253sqnHibaldstowWhilst stationary awaiting clearance to take off for a dusk patrol at 1933hrs, this aircraft was damaged by Hurricane Z3588 taxying into it, injuring the pilot P/O P Landers.
26/02/1942HampdenX311614OTUScamptonThis aircraft was damaged at 2000hrs when the pilot made a belly-landing on the airfield after an engine failed in flight and the aircraft would not maintain height on a single engine. Pilot P/O PS Mackay and his crew were unhurt.
28/02/1942Do217UNK2/KG2in the sea between Spurn Point and North CoatesThis aircraft was claimed as destroyed when it was shot down at 2030hrs from 1000' by the light AA guns of batteries KL05G,H & J.
28/02/1942HurricaneP37691AASManbyReturning to land at 1515hrs after a cine-gunnery exercise with a Wellington, this aircraft landed heavily, bounced and the undercarriage collapsed. Sgt F J Whyler was uninjured in his second accident in 4 days. Both were ascribed to his inexperience on type.
28/02/1942BeaufighterT3015409sqnNorth ThoresbyThis aircraft was destroyed at 2125hrs when it crashed during an operational patrol. The starboard engine had been running roughly, and then caught fire in flight. The navigator was ordered to bale out and did so successfully, but the pilot was unable to follow due to the aircraft changing trim and striking the ground before he could escape. PIlot P/O RM Murchie (Canadian) killed, navigator Sgt Andrews was unhurt.
28/02/1942HampdenAE21850sqnnr SkellingthorpeCoded VN-? Airborne 1755hrs 27/Feb/42 from Skellingthorpe for Kiel. On return, the aircraft was wrecked after it ran out of fuel causing the engines to cut out. The aircraft stalled and crashed at 0220hrs as the crew were preparing to land. Pilot F/Sgt R.Johnson unhurt, Sgt Booker unhurt, F/Sgt D.L.Barrie unhurt, Sgt Denman unhurt.

March

DateTypeSerialUnitLocationNotes
01/03/1942WellingtonDV452103 SqnElsham WoldsThis aircraft was damaged when the tailwheel collapsed after landing from an air-test sortie at 1120hrs. Pilot W/O RJ Fulbrook and his crew were uninjured.
01/03/1942HudsonAM74359sqnMarshchapelThis aircraft was damaged when it force-landed in a field 4 miles south-west of the airfield 26 minutes after taking off as it was unable to maintain height on a single engine with a full operational load following engine failure in flight. Pilot Sgt J.K.Nankervis (Australian) and crew were unhurt.
03/03/1942WellingtonW539512sqnBinbrookThis aircraft was damaged on a night-flying test at 1500hrs. During the flight a 3-foot square of fabric had detached from the starboard wing. The aircraft overshot the runway whilst making a forced landing in poor visibility, with the aircraft skidding on the muddy airfield surface and striking a gun-post. Pilot P/O WG James and his crew were uninjured.
06/03/1942SpitfireAA912412sqnHalf Mile North of AnwickReturning from a convoy patrol at 10:38, P/O E R Taylor had an engine failure in flight due to lack of fuel, he made a forced landing in a nearby field. The OC states on the card that "If Triad Control had vectored the pilot over Coningsby (instead of to base) he could probably have landed safely." The aircraft had to be recovered from the field and returned to the factory for repair. The accident record card quotes the location as "0.5 miles north of Atcham village" but the Lincolnshire Constabulary records give an exact grid reference which is just north of Anwick on the wartime grid.
07/03/1942HampdenAE38750sqnSkellingthorpeCoded VN-? The aircraft swung in strong wind whilst taking off at 1630hrs and crashed on the airfield, catching fire. The aircraft was destroyed in the incident. Pilot P/O P.W.W. Nock injured, LAC H. Lees killed.
07/03/1942LancasterR549244sqnWaddingtonThis aircraft was damaged on landing from a training cross-country flight at 2115hrs. The pilot made a normal circuit and approach, but anded heavily. Pilot W/O JF Beckett and his crew were unhurt.
09/03/1942HudsonAM87753sqnFars Lane, 3 miles N.N.E Donna Nook Lifeboat StationThis aircraft was wrecked when it crashed shortly take-off for an anti-shipping patrol at 0210hrs. The inquiry found that the pilot had been trying to fly visually rather than on instruments in 10/10ths cloud on a very dark night. Pilot Sgt R Walbancke was injured, observer Sgt CS Milne (Canadian) killed.
09/03/1942OxfordN4842RAFCGrange Farm Stoke Rochford This aircraft was damaged when it was abandoned after running out of fuel in flight as a result of a faulty fuel gauge, belly-landing at Grange Farm, Stoke Rochford. Pilot LAC Simpson was unhurt.
09/03/1942DefiantAA403151sqnoff SkegnessThis aircraft was lost at 1940hrs when it ditched in the North Sea whilst on convoy patrol. Pilot Sgt LH Kelley killed, gunner Sgt AH Phillott killed.
09/03/1942HampdenX305749sqnScamptonThis aircraft was damaged at 0022hrs when the pilot selected wheels up instead of flaps up on the runway immediately prior to take-off for an operational sortie. Pilot P/O RA Newmarch (Rhodesian) and his crew were unhurt.
10/03/1942HampdenAT15350sqnSkellingthorpeThis aircraft was damaged on landing from a ferry flight at 1420hrs when the pilot landed too close to the starboard edge of the runway. Instead of throttling back, he applied left rudder, causing the aircraft to swing sharply to port as it was still at flying speed. Pilot P/O JD Crombie and crew were unhurt.
11/03/1942WellingtonR12763OTUCranwellThis aircraft was damaged on takeoff when it was struck from behind by Whitley Z9122 which was landing. The pilot S/Ldr B B Jupp was uninjured.
11/03/1942WhitleyZ91223OTUCranwellThis aircraft was damaged on landing at 2000hrs when it struck Wellington R1276 which was taking off ahead of it. The pilot, Sgt I S Dunbar was uninjured
11/03/1942WellingtonDV596103 SqnElsham WoldsOn landing from operations against Essen at 0110hrs, a hung-up bomb detached from its carrier and fell through the bomb-bay door, damaging it. Pilot S/Ldr O Godfrey and crew were unhurt.
11/03/1942HampdenAD93149sqnScamptonThis aircraft was damaged whilst parked at dispersal. A civilian tipper lorry belonging to a construction contractor was turning around near the aircraft with the tipper bed still raised. The tipper actuating rod struck the wing of the aircraft, tearing a gouge in it.
12/03/1942ManchesterL7474106sqnnr WincebyCoded ZN-? The aircraft bounced on landing at Coningsby on return from a training sortie. On going around the circuit again, the crew were unable to lock the port undercarriage leg down. The aircraft was abandoned near Horncastle at 2345hrs & crashed 0.5 miles north of Winceby. Glazed ice on the windscreen was a factor in the initial landing problem. Pilot Sgt GK Carter and crew baled out without injury.
12/03/1942HurricaneL202656OTUSutton BridgeOn take-off, one tyre burst after the aircraft was handled heavily. The pilot, P/O A H Smith (New Zealander) was ordered to immediately land wheels down but on doing so at 1245hrs, overshot the flarepath, damaging the aircraft.
12/03/1942SpitfireAD226412sqnWellingoreF/Sgt H V Thompson (Canadian) had returned from a convoy patrol mission at 14:00, whilst taxying the aircraft he ran in to a rut created by a contractors lorry. Technically he should not have been taxying on an unserviceable area of the aerodrome. The damage could easily be repaired by the on site maintenance team.
12/03/1942SpitfireAD429412sqnWellingoreAt 08:40 F/Sgt H V Thompson (Canada) had a heavy landing and undercarriage collapse. His air speed indicator became unserviceable in flight and became stuck at 120mph. Not able to tell exactly what speed he was going, he stalled the aircraft and brought it down too heavily. After 20 minutes on the ground the air speed indicator reset itself. On inspection the cable at the back of the panel was frayed.
12/03/1942ManchesterR58381661HCUWickenbyDuring a training flight, propellor feathering was demonstrated at 5000 feet. After this demonstration, the port propellor would not unfeather. The pilot attempted to land at Wickenby, but overran into a ditch, causing the starboard undercarriage unit to collapse. No crew details are recorded.
13/03/1942OxfordV4150RAFCBarkston HeathThis aircraft was wrecked when it crashed on a night-flying sortie. The pilot noticed that he was too high on approach, decided to go round again, but failed to notice that the aircraft was losing height. The aircraft flew into the ground. Pilot LAC JMM Smith was killed.
13/03/1942WhitleyZ681778sqnDonna NookWhilst making a precautionary single-engined landing on the airfield in poor visibility after an engine failure in flight whilst on an operational sortie, the pilot Sgt W A Wilson was unable to throttle back. This caused the aircraft to overshoot and hit some barbed wire after touchdown.
13/03/1942LysanderV98221489FLTHolbeach RangeThis aircraft was damaged in a heavy forced landing after the engine failed in flight on a target-towing sortie. Pilot Sgt Badenoch was unhurt.
14/03/1942HampdenAT13950sqnSkellingthorpeThis aircraft was damaged on return from operations at 0135hrs when the pilot landed heavily on the starboard undercarriage, causing the tyre to burst and the aircraft to run off the runway. The pilot was on his first bombing sortie and the aircraft had been badly shot up over enemy territory. Pilot Sgt D Gray and crew were uninjured.
14/03/1942LancasterL754844sqnWaddingtonThis aircraft was damaged on return from operations at 0020hrs when it overshot the runway and ran through a hedge after bouncing on landing. The pilot had signalled fying control to switch on the airfield floodlight, but his signal was apparently not seen. Pilot Sgt GT Rhodes and his crew were uninjured.
15/03/1942OxfordT109712SFTSCranwell Grange FarmThis aircraft was damaged when it failed to become airborne due to a passenger sitting in the bomb aimers port. The aircraft crashed into a nearby farm. Pilot LAC Z Myszkowskii was uninjured, no further details recorded.
15/03/1942HurricaneZ3783253sqnHibaldstowOn take-off at 2140hrs for a co-operation exercise with a Havoc, the pilot P/O W R Christine (American) opened the throttle but swung off the flarepath, the propeller tips struck the ground ad stopped the engine and the aircraft came to rest in a ditch at the end of the runway. P/O Christine was injured in the accident.
15/03/1942HampdenAE42350sqnSkellingthorpeThis aircraft was damaged in a heavy landing on return from operations. Pilot P/O RJ Barnes and crew were uninjured.
15/03/1942OxfordAB64112SFTSSpitalgateThis aircraft was destroyed when it collided with Oxford AP645 shortly after takeoff. Pilot F/O DR Olver and pupil Sgt JL Wyatt (American) were killed.
15/03/1942OxfordAP64512SFTSSpitalgateThis aircraft was destroyed when Oxford AP641 collided with it shortly after takeoff. Pilot F/Lt RJ Jouault DFC and pupil 1/Lt WB Straver (Dutch) were killed.
15/03/1942HurricaneV764556OTUSutton BridgeWhilst landing from a training flight, this aircraft was damaged when the undercarriage collapsed due to damage sustained in previous heavy landings. The pilot Sgt B Strachan (Canadian) was uninjured.
16/03/1942LysanderT14251481FLT1 mile N.E LouthThis aircraft was damaged when it crashed due to engine failure in flight. Pilot F/Sgt Jay and his unnamed winch operator were unhurt.
16/03/1942OxfordAT67812SFTSHarlaxtonThis aircraft was damaged when the undercarriage collapsed after the pilot failed to concentrate on landing, allowing the aircraft to bounce. The aircraft came to rest on the grass at the end of runway with damage the the underside and props. Pilot Sgt Goodfellow was unhurt.
16/03/1942SpitfireX4353133sqnoff MablethorpeThis aircraft was lost when it hit the sea in hazy conditions at 0845hrs whilst on a weather test flight. Pilot P/O HC Brown (American) was killed.
16/03/1942HurricaneP351556OTUSutton BridgeWhilst taxying back to dispersal at 1530hrs, this aircraft was damaged when the pilot Sgt W E Hughes accidentally retracted the undercarriage.
16/03/1942HampdenP5332420sqnWaddingtonThis aircraft was damaged whilst taxying at 2110hrs. The pilot was taxying on the outside of the blue taxiway lights instead of along the inside. The starboard wing struck a tin hut by the taxiway, and the aircraft swung into the gun butts wall. The cause of the incident was that the pilot had not been taught about taxying in relation to airfield lighting whilst at OTU before joining the squadron. Pilot Sgt FS Hiley (Canadian) and crew were unhurt.
17/03/1942WellingtonR1620300sqnHemswellThis aircraft was damaged whilst landing from a training flight at 2215hrs. The pilot approached low and too far to the right of the flarepath, striking the starboard wing of parked Wellington Z1263 with its undercarriage. Pilot F/O B Uszpolewicz (Polish) and his crew were uninjured.
17/03/1942WellingtonZ1263301sqnHemswellThis aircraft was damaged whilst parked at 2215hrs when the starboard wing was damaged by the undercarriage of Wellington R1620 which approached too far to the right of the flarepath on a training sortie.
17/03/1942HampdenAE22749sqnScamptonThis aircraft was damaged when it struck stationary Hampden X2912 whilst taxying fast along the peritrack to the runway at 2045hrs. X2912 was not displaying a tail light as the pilot was not aware that one was fitted, they were not standard equipment on OUT aircraft. Pilot P/O RP Worthy and crew were unhurt.
17/03/1942HampdenX291249sqnScamptonThis aircraft was severely damaged when it was struck whilst stationary on the peritrack by taxying Hampden AE227 at 2045hrs. The pilot of AE227 had not seen X2912 as it was not displaying a taillight at the time. Pilot Sgt JW Heard and crew were unhurt.
18/03/1942WhitleyP50523OTUCranwellWhilst night-flying after the pilot P/O J M Strachan had only recently gone solo on type, the aircraft approached to land very low over buildings on the unlit airfield and struck the RAF College roof. The airfield had no obstruction or landing lights showing and a lack of a radio navigation aid at the airfield also contributed to the accident. The aircraft burned out and was destroyed, some damage was also done to the College building. Pilot P/O JM Strachan killed, Sgt DJS Balfour killed, Sgt RJ Randall killed.
19/03/1942WellingtonM5550305sqnnr CranwellThis aircraft was damaged when it crash-landed 1 mile from RAF Cranwell on return from operations to Essen at 0200hrs. The crew were unhurt and were taken to RAF Cranwell.
20/03/1942ManchesterR5839106sqnConingsbyThis aircraft was damaged on landing at 1525hrs when the undercarriage collapsed on touchdown. The hydraulics had failed just after take-off and the pilot was returning to land his fully-laden aircraft having abandoned his mission. Pilot P/O WN Whamond (Rhodesian) and his crew were unhurt.
20/03/1942LancasterL757097sqnnr FriestonCoded OF-B, this aircraft was airborne from Woodhall Spa for a mine-laying sortie off the Frisian Islands (Nectarines Area). Visibility was poor with extremely low cloud at the time and as the heavily laden Lancaster flew low with the crew map-reading before flying on instruments, it broke cloud over Boston. On turning to avoid buildings, its starboard wing tip grazed the roof of a house. This resulted in a crash landing at 1500hrs on the beach at Frieston, 4 miles E of Boston. The crew escaped injury, and although little damaged, the Lancaster was swamped by the incoming tide and written off. The aircraft was subsequently recovered once the load of sea-mines had been removed. F/O E.E.Rodley unhurt, P/O Colquhoun (Canadian) unhurt, Sgt Healey unhurt, Sgt Merralls unhurt, Sgt Cummings unhurt, Sgt J.Crisp unhurt, Sgt Ratcliffe unhurt.
21/03/1942GladiatorN55831401 Met fltQuadringThis aircraft was wrecked when it crashed after hitting a tree whilst flying in foggy conditions. Pilot F/Lt DA Braithwaite was unhurt.
22/03/1942SpitfireR6720133sqnKirton in LindseyP/O W K Ford was returning from a training sortie at 16:30, on landing heavily the undercarriage collapsed. The aircraft was not too badly damaged and could be repaired on site.
23/03/1942OxfordAT6591518BATFPickering's Farm, DunholmeAirborne from Dunholme Lodge with a 49sqn cew. At 1440 the aircraft hit HT cables on approach to the airfield during a beam approach training flight and crashed near Pickering's Farm, to the south of the airfield. F/O H.M. McGuffie killed, Sgt T.D. Dakin (Canadian) killed, Sgt L.D.J. Crozier (Canadian) killed.
23/03/1942HurricaneV716456OTUSutton BridgeOn return from a formation flying exercise at 1300hrs, this aircraft was damaged when the pilot held off too high on approach, and made a heavy landing. The pilot, Sgt L A C John was uninjured in the crash.
23/03/1942HurricaneV722256OTUSutton BridgeOn return from a training flight at 1600hrs, the aircraft touched down heavily and bounced. The pilot, Sgt W H Fell failed to open the throttle to go around agin and the aircraft stalled onto the runway.
23/03/1942HampdenAD855420sqnWaddingtonWhilst taxying for a night-flying test at 1230hrs the undercarriage warning horn sounded, possibly as a result of one leg becoming unlocked. The pilot inadvertently selected undercarriage up instead of down, resulting in the undercarriage collapsing whilst the aircraft was moving. Pilot Sgt W.K.McDermid (Canadian) and crew were unhurt.
24/03/1942LancasterL753144sqnConingsbyCoded KM-? This aircraft was airborne from Coningsby at 1445hrs on a training flight but crashed almost immediately when part of the port wing leading edge lifted, causing the bomber to career out of control and finish up, wrecked, near the station bomb dump. Pilot S/Ldr T.H.Boylan and crew escaped serious injury, despite smashing into a crane before coming to a stop.
24/03/1942HalifaxL7478NKin the WashThis aircraft coded DEB was spotted at 1135hrs in the water 1 mile offshore 2.5 miles north-east of the mouth of the Haven by the crew of an Anson of 3OTU. No record card was seen for the incident, it is reported in 3OTU's ORB.
24/03/1942ManchesterL738583sqnScamptonThis aircraft was damaged on landing at 2040hrs when it bounced after striking a tarmac road that ran across the landing area. The aircraft touched down heavily on the tailwheel, damaging it. Pilots Sgt Markides, P/O Danielson and their crew were unhurt.
25/03/1942OxfordV3431RAFCCranwellThis aircraft was damaged in a landing accident after it landed on the tailwheel, which failed and swung the aircraft into a ditch. Pilot LAC Cummings was unhurt.
25/03/1942HudsonAM58453sqnDonna NookThis aircraft was destroyed when it crashed and caught fire after ballooning and stalling following a fast approach to land from a patrol at 2245hrs. Pilot F/Sgt RL Killy and his unnamed observer were injured in the accident.
25/03/1942WellingtonZ1289142sqnDonna NookCoded R, this aircraft was damaged when it struck an obstruction with its undercarriage on take-off for operations from Grimsby at 1935hrs. After jettisoning its bombload over the sea, the aircraft was further damaged when the pilot belly-landed it at Donna Nook at 2030hrs. Pilot F/Lt EFK Campling DFC and crew were unhurt.
25/03/1942ManchesterL748650sqnSkellingthorpeThis aircraft was wrecked on landing at 1915hrs when it bounced and stalled onto the runway as the pilot was practising single-engined approaches on a training flight. The aircraft caught fire and was burned out. Pilot Sgt D Atkinson and his crew were unhurt
26/03/1942HurricaneL19731AASManbyThis aircraft was damaged when the pilot selected undercarriage up instead of flaps up on landing. Pilot Sgt L.Gilis (Polish) was uninjured.
26/03/1942LancasterR548297sqnWood Hall SpaThis aircraft was damaged on take-off for a transit flight at 1000hrs when the 2nd pilot mistook the pilot's signal to check throttle positions for one to raise the undercarriage. The wheels were retracted before the aircraft was airborne and it slid along the runway on its belly. Pilot F/O BRW Hallows (New Zealander) and 5 of his crew were unhurt, one unnamed crewman was injured.
27/03/1942OxfordX6940RAFCCranwellThis aircraft was damaged when the pilot forgot to brake on landing. The undercarriage collapsed when the aircraft ran out of runway and skidded off through boundary hedge, damaging the nose, underside and propellors. Pilot LAC Holmes was unhurt but grounded as a result of the accident.
27/03/1942BeaufighterT3142409sqnLeverton nr BostonThis aircraft was destroyed when it stalled & spun in to the ground whilst the pilot was demonstrating stalling in landing configuration to a new pilot. The aircraft was seen in a right-hand inverted spin with the starboard engine shut down just before it crashed. Pilot S/Ldr BA Hanbury (Canadian), passenger P/O PM Sweet (American) and observer F/Sgt JW Dixon (Canadian) were all killed.
28/03/1942MasterDK973RAFCBracebridge HeathThis aircraft was destroyed at 1320hrs when it crashed and caught fire after colliding in flight with Lancaster R5501 of 207sqn whilst making a mock attack on it. Pilot Lt JD Linaker (Royal Artillery) was killed.
28/03/1942OxfordDK973RAFCBracebridge HeathThis aircraft was destroyed when it collided in flight with Lancaster R5501 of 207sqn after conducting an unauthorised mock attack on it. Both aircraft crashed to the ground 0.5 miles east of Bracebridge Heath. Pilot Lt JD Linaker (Royal Artillery) was killed.
28/03/1942LancasterR5501207sqnBracebridge HeathCoded EM-G, this aircraft was wrecked when it collided in flight with Master DK973 at 1320hrs whilst on a training flight after the Master made a mock attack on the Lancaster. Both aircraft crashed on Canwick Hill, just to the east of Bracebridge Heath, 2 miles south of Lincoln, and caught fire on the ground. Sgt N.A. Lingard killed, Sgt D.A.Wood killed, Sgt R.W. Cox killed, Sgt T.C. Massey killed.
28/03/1942WhitleyT41413OTUCranwellThis aircraft was damaged when the tailwheel collapsed whilst the aircraft was taxying out for an air test at 1240hrs. Pilot F/O K Souther was uninjured and the aircraft was repaired and returned to service.
28/03/1942HurricaneZ5333486sqnKirton LindseyOn return from a DF homing practice sortie, the aircraft stalled on landing and touched down heavily on the starboard wheel, which struck soft ground on the airfield. This caused the aircraft to swing violently, collapsing both undercarriage legs. The pilot, P/O A J Woodgate (New Zealander) was uninjured.
28/03/1942HudsonT941753sqnManbyThis aircraft was destroyed at 1504hrs after the pilot failed to use the rudder to check a swing which developed on take-off, causing the undercarriage to collapse. The aircraft caught fire but was burned out when the fire tender used up all of its foam without extinguishing the blaze. Pilot Sgt RW Kennard (Australian) and his crew were uninjured.
28/03/1942LysanderT16871485FLTSutton Farm 1/2 mile N. Cold HanworthThis aircraft was airborne from Coningsby and was wrecked at 1600hrs when it crashed into the ground and cartwheeled into a tree. Pilot W/O EL Tiley was killed, his passenger AC1 A Whitlock was slightly injured.
28/03/1942SpitfireAB792412sqnWellingoreP/O J A Melaque struck a tractor during his cockpit drill on take off, he failed to make sure his path was clear. The aircraft would have to be dismantled and taken away for repair.
29/03/1942DefiantAA384151sqn1 mile north of StamfordThis aircraft was wrecked when it crashed and caught fire at 1230hrs after the pilot stalled at low altitude in a steep turn during a session of unauthorised low flying on a training flight. Pilot P/O HW Hart killed, gunner Sgt AJ Snook killed.
29/03/1942HurricaneZ3501253sqnHibaldstowOn return from a searchlight co-operation sortie at 2210hrs this aircraft was damaged when the pilot, Sgt N E Watts held off too high on approach and stalled the aircraft, landing heavily on the port wheel and bursting the tyre. The aircraft swung sharply, causing the port undercarriage leg to collapse.
29/03/1942BlenheimZ549417OTUSutton BridgeThis aircraft was wrecked at 1835hrs when it overshot on landing. The pilot had taken off with the fuel cocks in the wrong position, causing an engine to fail in flight due to fuel starvation. He turned back and lowered the undercarriage to land, but ran into a bank. Pilot Sgt JLM Hegarty and 2 crew were injured in the accident.
30/03/1942SpitfireBL263609sqnDigbyAt 15:30 P/O J E J B J Molai (Belgian) was taxying out when he was struck by Spitfire BL324. The squadron was moving out of the aerodrome and relocating.
30/03/1942SpitfireBL324609sqnDigbyP/O G Evans (Canadian) hit Spitfire BL263 as it taxied past at 1530hrs. Both aircraft were leaving Digby to go to another aerodrome.
30/03/1942DefiantL70061AASManbyThis aircraft sustained major damage to the fuselage when the pilot landed wheels-up on the airfield after problems in flight. The unnamed pilot was uninjured.
30/03/1942ProctorP62321SSNorth Aerodrome CranwellSgt R Fall on a W T Exercise at 10:50 overshot due to approaching too fast and hit a dummy gun post, tipping the aircraft on to its nose. The damage was repairable by the maintenance unit on site.
31/03/1942WhitleyT42283OTUCranwellOn take-off for a local flying sortie at 1225hrs, the port tyre burst causing the aircraft to swing to port after the pilot P/O F W Smith had closed the throttles. The undercarriage collapsed, damaging the aircraft though P/O Smith and crew were uninjured.

April

DateTypeSerialUnitLocationNotes
01/04/1942WellingtonR1615301sqnHemswellThis aircraft was damaged whilst on tow on the airfield at 1800hrs. A sudden gust of wind caused towing arm to detach and spin round, damaging the tail.
01/04/1942LancasterR548444sqnWaddingtonThis aircraft was damaged on landing from a training flight at 2315hrs. The aircraft bounced, but due to a slightly smeary windscreen, the pilot was unable to assess the extent of the bounce, and touched down hard, causing the aircraft to bounce again. On touching down heavily from the second bounce the undercarriage collapsed. Pilot F/O LO Halls and crew were uninjured.
02/04/1942WhitleyZ69623OTUCranwellWhilst flying on a night cross-country training sortie, this aircraft was damaged at 2245hrs by anti-aircraft fire from a British shipping convoy in the North Sea. The aircraft was fired on by the ships before the pilot, New Zealander P/O A M Densem could make the aircraft known as friendly to the convoy. The crew were uninjured but the aircraft required repairs.
02/04/1942OxfordV332215(P)AFUKirmingtonAt 21:00 whilst on a night time training mission to practice circuits and landings V3322, Piloted by Sgt H J Cossentine, was struck whilst taxying by another Oxford (V3952) which had taken off on the wrong runway. The aircraft was written off.
02/04/1942OxfordV395215(P)AFUKirmingtonP/O J W Miller failed to comply with orders when he taxied out for a night time training flight to practice circuits and landings at 21:00. He received his first green light from ACP to taxi to number one flare and await a second green, instead of awaiting the second green he took off on the wrong runway and struck another Oxford (V3322) writing both aircraft off. He should not have used the runway with the electric lights, he should have used the runway lit with blue hurricane lamps.
02/04/1942HampdenAT18549sqnScamptonThis aircraft was damaged at 2155hrs whilst practising nighttime circuits and landings. The aircraft approached too slowly and undershot the runway, striking the undercarriage on a raised road on the airfield boundary. Pilot Sgt JW Heard and crew were unhurt.
03/04/1942BeaufighterR2459409sqnColeby GrangeThis aircraft was damaged during a night-flying sortie at 2205hrs when the aircraft overshot the runway whilst landing in a slight crosswind and ran across a road, through the airfield boundary hedge and came to rest in a ploughed field. Pilot F/Sgt WF Baehr (Canadian) and his navigator Sgt Rose were unhurt. This was F/Sgt Baehr's 3rd accident on type.
03/04/1942SpitfireP8438133sqnEpworthThis aircraft was destroyed when it collided in mid-air with Spitfire P8595 of 133sqn. Pilot P/O SF Whedon (American) baled out but was killed when his parachute failed to open correctly.
03/04/1942SpitfireP8595133sqnEpworthThis aircraft was destroyed when it collided in mid air with Spitfire P8438 of 133sqn. Pilot P/O WA Arends (American) baled out safely.
04/04/1942WhitleyZ92921485FltDunholme LodgeThis aircraft was damaged on the pilot, F/O W B Christophers' first solo flight on the type when the port engine failed on take-off at 1230hrs. F/O Christophers made a forced landing after retracting the undercarriage. The crew were unhurt.
04/04/1942ManchesterL738783sqnScamptonThis aircraft was damaged at 1615hrs when the tailplane struck a tarmac road running across the airfield after the aircraft's undercarriage caught it and bounced. Pilots F/Sgt JR Fancis, Sgt T Irvine and their crew were unhurt.
05/04/1942MagisterN5421412sqnDigbyThis aircraft was damaged whilst taxying downwind at 1640hrs. A gust of wind caught the aircraft and swung it into stationary Spitfire W3853 after the brakes (later found to be faulty) failed to correct the swing. Pilot F/Sgt L Edwards (Canadian) was unhurt.
05/04/1942SpitfireW3853412sqnDigbyThis aircraft was damaged whilst parked at 1640hrs when it was struck by taxying Magister N5421.
05/04/1942HudsonT943459sqnNorth CoatesThis aircraft was wrecked at 1445hrs on take-off for a local flying sortie carrying a number of passengers. After taking off in a direct crossind, on reaching 50 feet, the aircraft stalled and crashed to the ground. Pilot P/O JR Horswick and his 7 passengers escaped unhurt.
06/04/1942LancasterR5498207sqnBottesfordThis aircraft was damaged during a nighttime circuits and landings exercise at 0115hrs. The pilot was attempting to correct a swing which had developed whilst landing out of wind, when the tail struck a marshalling van which had been parked on an intersecting runway . Pilots P/O GA Ings, Sgt R Bell-Berry and their crew were uninjured.
06/04/1942WellingtonL77841AASover the coastThis aircraft was slightly damaged when it collided in flight with Lysander W6939 whilst on a target-towing sortie at 1130hrs. Pilot Sgt SJ Nicolle and his crew were unhurt.
06/04/1942LysanderW69391AASover the coastThis aircraft was slightly damaged when it collided in flight with Wellington L7784 whilst on a target-towing sortie at 1130hrs. Pilot Sgt M Baker-Munton was unhurt.
06/04/1942HampdenAT21650sqnThorpe-on-the-HillCoded VN-? Airborne at 0029hrs from Skellingthorpe for Cologne.The aircraft was wrecked shortly afterwards when it crashed at 0034hrs at Thorpe-on- the-Hill, 6 miles SW of Lincoln. It is presumed the pilot lost control as he climbed away from the airfield. F/O R.Seeley-King killed, Sgt G.L.Quincy killed, Sgt G.C.S.Skelton killed, Sgt J.Hardy killed. This crew were the last to lose their lives on Hampden operations with 50 Sqdn. The Manchester conversion training was now completed, and the last remaining Hampdens were withdrawn. Since the outbreak of war, 50 Sqdn had lost a total of 104 Hampdens.
07/04/1942BlenheimT18021AASManbyThis aircraft was damaged at 1235hrs when the undercarriage collapsed in a heavy landing after the aircraft ballooned whilst being landed in a tricky strong wind. Pilot Sgt HL Cribb and his unnamed crew were unhurt.
08/04/1942LancasterR5498207sqnBottesfordThis aircraft was wrecked at 0110hrs when it crashed and burned out on a road on the boundary of the airfield after both starboard engines cut out in flight due to fuel starvation. The cause was traced to a faulty fuel pump in the port tanks which meant that the starboard tanks had run dry due to all 4 engines running from them for the duration of the flight. Pilot F/Sgt JJN MCCarthy (New Zealander) was unhurt, second pilot Sgt JDL LaSalle (Canadian) was injured, along with another unnamed crewman.
08/04/1942WhitleyP50633OTUCranwellWhilst airborne for the pilot Sgt L J McCulloch's first night sortie from the airfield, he made a bad approach and landed heavily before his instructor F/Sgt N F Grinham could take control. The aircraft was damaged but the crew were uninjured.
08/04/1942WellingtonZ1250300sqnHemswellThis aircraft sustained damage to the tailwheel in a heavy landing on a rough surface in strong winds on return from a test flight at 1730hrs. Pilot Sgt S Rokosz (Polish) and his crew were uninjured.
10/04/1942WellingtonZ546012sqnGrimsbyStationary on taxiway whilst awaiting a take-off slot, this aircraft was hit at 2215hrs by Wellington Z8402 Pilot Sgt FF Fahey (Australian) and his crew were uninjured.
10/04/1942WellingtonZ840212sqnGrimsbyThis aircraft was damaged when it collided with stationary Wellington Z5460 at 2215hrs. The pilot had aborted his take-off attempt due to the aircraft swinging, and taxied along another runway back to the start of the flarepath for another attempt. Whilst taxying at speed as he was in a hurry to take off for operations, the pilot failed to spot Wellington Z5460 which was not displaying lights, and his aircraft collided with it. Pilot F/O LW Goodman and his crew were unhurt.
10/04/1942SpitfireAD305412sqnnr WaddingtonWhilst escorting a flight of captured enemy aircraft back to Wittering, this aircraft was wrecked when it collided with Spitfire BL242, severing the aircraft's tail and it crashed 1 mile south of Waddington. Pilot F/Sgt GS Gould (Canadian) was killed.
10/04/1942SpitfireBL242412sqnnr WaddingtonWhilst escorting a flight of captured enemy aircraft back to Wittering, this aircraft was wrecked when it collided with Spitfire AD305 1 mile south of Waddington. The pilot attempted to make a forced landing in a field after the collision but the aircraft struck a hedge, tearing off the wings. Pilot F/Lt WF Napier (Canadian) was seriously injured in the crash.
11/04/1942WellingtonR16663OTUCranwellThis aircraft was damaged on landing from a night flight at 2155hrs when the hydraulic system failed. The undercarriage was lowered by the emergency system, but the flaps would not deploy. The aircraft landed fast, ran off the airfield and came to rest on its nose in a ploughed field. Instructor pilot P/O SG Smith, pupils P/O Hodnet and Sgt Howard were unhurt.
11/04/1942HampdenAT187144sqnWright's farm, Gedney MarshCoded PL-? Airborne from North Luffenham on an operational bombing sortie. On return, the aircraft suffered single engine failure in flight and crashed at 0245hrs whilst attempting an emergency landing with the undercarriage down at Wrights Farm, Gedney Marsh. Sgt DH Smith (Rhodesian) injured, Sgt WAM Allen (Australian) killed, Sgt G.Johnstone killed, Sgt F.Woodfield killed.
12/04/1942BostonW8334226sqnHemswellThis aircraft was destroyed when it crashed after the pilot pulled it into a steep turn in low-level flight, causing a high-speed stall. This developed into a flick-roll at low altitude, leaving the pilot no room to recover. The aircraft completed a full roll and crashed right way up. Pilot S/Ldr MR MacClancy (Irish) killed,P/O TE Davies killed, F/Sgt RJ Holloway killed, LAC L Hale killed.
12/04/1942OxfordT116815(P)AFUKirmingtonThis aircraft was damaged when it crashed after striking a telegraph pole after making a late turn onto approach. Pilot Sgt Harvey was unhurt.
13/04/1942MasterDK840RAFCBarkston HeathThis aircraft was damaged when it undershot on landing and hit a wall. No further details recorded.
13/04/1942SpitfireP8279CGSBostonThis aircraft was damaged when it crash-landed in a field after running short of fuel. The pilot had become lost on a night-flying sortie on a foggy night and had inadvertently allowed his fuel to become exhausted. Pilot F/Sgt Morrison was unhurt.
13/04/1942WellingtonN30081AASManbyThis aircraft was damaged at 1440hrs whilst taxying back to dispersal after a training flight. The aircraft struck a tree with the starboard wing as the pilot was only looking to one side. Damage was caused the the wingtip. Pilot Sgt WE Illingworth and crew were unhurt.
13/04/1942ManchesterL746450sqnSkellingthorpeThis aircraft was damaged on landing from a ferry flight at 1552hrs. The pilot misjudged his approach and the aircraft struck the ground before the final hold-off. The pilot opened the throttles to go around again but only one engine responded and the aircraft fell heavily onto the port wheel, causing the undercarriage to collapse. Pilot Sgt J Pritchard and crew were unhurt.
14/04/1942HampdenAT219420sqnNorth HykehamCoded PT-C, Airborne at 2138hrs from Waddington for Dortmund and was destroyed when it crashed and burned out at 2145hrs at North Hykeham on the SW outskirts of Lincoln. It is believed that the Hampden suffered a port engine failure immediately after take-off and the pilot turned to port to regain the airfield, losing control in the process. P/O W.J.Murray (Canadian) killed, P/O WF McCarthy (Canadian) killed, Sgt KA Johnson killed, Sgt K.A.Birch killed.
14/04/1942LysanderV990025OTUScamptonThis aircraft was damaged on landing whilst visiting Scampton at 1145hrs. The aircraft swung and skidded on landing, possibly due to a gusty, veering wind, and the pilot braked to correct it, causing a tyre to burst which tipped the aircraft onto its nose. Pilot Sgt FH Huntley was unhurt.
15/04/1942WellingtonR15293OTUCranwellThis aircraft was damaged on take-off for a night dual-instruction sortie when a tyre burst, causing the aircraft to swing and run off the runway. The tyre had been damaged by a sharp object whilst taxying. Pilot F/Lt WA Brown, P/O PS Champion-Jones, Sgt SAG Priestley (Australian) all unhurt.
15/04/1942LancasterL754044sqnWaddingtonThis aircraft was damaged at 2330hrs on landing from a training flight. The pilot approached too fast, overshot the runway and ran through a hedge. Pilot P/O TG Hackney and his crew were unhurt.
15/04/1942SpitfireBL300412sqnWellingoreAfter a practice formation flight lasting 1 hour 40 minutes at 16:15 F/Sgt A S Porter had an engine failure due to lack of fuel, the aircraft crashed in to a bomb shelter leeward of the aerodrome. The aircraft was written off. As a result of this accident flying times were cut down to 1 hour 10 minutes as a precaution
15/04/1942SpitfireBL906412sqnWellingoreF/Sgt H V Thompson (Canadian) had an engine failure on returning from a patrol flight at 16:15. He landed with the undercarriage retracted in a field next to the aerodrome. He was out on his flight for 1 hour 45 minutes, he should only have been out 1 hour 30 minutes as per the new flying times guidelines. The damage could be repaired, but, the aircraft would need to be sent away.
15/04/1942WellingtonZ8586305sqnWrootCoded SM-A, Airborne 2221 14Apr42 from Lindholme for Dortmund. Ran out of fuel on the return and crash-landed at Wroot, Lincolnshire, 9 miles E of Doncaster, Yorkshire. The two men killed are buried in the Polish Plot at Newark Cemetery. F/O S.Sznidel (Polish) killed, F/O K.W.Konopasek (Polish) F/O K.Joszt (Polish) injured, Sgt K.Pasich (Polish) killed, Sgt B.Sedzimir (Polish) Sgt W.Szmidt (Polish).
15/04/1942WellingtonZ1468301sqnYoungwood nr BardneyCoded GR-I, Airborne at 2144hrs 14/Apr/42 from Hemswell for Dortmund. The aircraft was hit by flak which damaged the aircraft's radio and fuel tanks. On return, it crash-landed at 0340hrs short of fuel, at Youngwood near Bardney airfield and was wrecked. Sgt S.Krzystyniak (Polish) P/O K.Szrajer (Polish) F/O R.Walczak (Polish) Sgt C.Harmuszkiewicz (Polish) injured, Sgt I.Adamczyk (Polish) Sgt L. Abakonowicz (Polish) injured.
16/04/1942WellingtonR1344103 Sqn4m southwest of Woodhall SpaOn return from operations against Dortmund, this aircraft was damaged in a heavy crash-landing in a field at 0700hrs after the starboard engine ran short of oil and caught fire, causing the propellor to fall off following failure of the extinguisher to work at 0655hrs. Pilots P/O GH Gosman (Canadian), Sgt DW Spooner (Australian) and crew Sgt NH Bode, Sgt AJ Dowty, Sgt FB Garrett and Sgt T Baillie were all unhurt.
16/04/1942WhitleyN13923OTUCranwellOn return from a night-flying test at 2125hrs, this aircraft was damaged when neither of the pilots, F/Sgt R G F Bagley & F/Sgt N V Bristow heard the undercarriage warning bell and landed the aircraft wheels-up.
16/04/1942WhitleyZ68211485FltDunholme LodgeOn return from an air gunnery training sortie at 1530hrs, this aircraft was damaged following failure of the port engine on touchdown. The pilot, P/O Mcfarlane braked hard when the aircraft swung towards an obstruction and this caused the undercarriage to collapse.
16/04/1942OxfordAT6641506 FLTWaddingtonAT664 was struck from behind whilst parked on the apron by another Oxford (AT778). The damage could not be repaired by the maintenance unit on site, but could be done by contractors.
16/04/1942OxfordAT7781506 FLTWaddingtonF/Sgt C S Sanderson hit a stationary Oxford (AT664) at 10:00 whilst he was just taking over the controls. The incident card states carelessness as the major factor. He should have been aware of other aircraft around him.
17/04/1942OxfordAB75312(P)AFU1/4 mile from HarlaxtonThis aircraft was damaged when it struck a tree outside of boundary and crashed whilst making a low approach to land. Pilot Sgt Richardson.
18/04/1942HampdenAD75714OTUHarlaxtonThis aircraft was damaged when it overshot the runway after being diverted to his home base's satellite airfield nearby. The pilot mistook Harlaxton's 450 yard long training flarepath for the runway at the airfield he was diverting to. As a result, the aircraft overshot the flarepath and came to rest tipped on its nose after the pilot braked sharply to avoid crashing off the airfield. Pilot Sgt RG Burton (Australian) and crew were unhurt.
19/04/1942HurricaneZ3831253sqn5 miles south of Louth (Maidenwell?)Whilst making a mock attack on a formation of troops, this aircraft hit high tension wires, stalled and spun in to the ground. The pilot, P/O W R Christine (American) was killed and the aircraft burned out after the crash.
19/04/1942Ju88UNK3(F)/33In the sea off GrimsbyThis aircraft was claimed as destroyed at 0001hrs when it was shot down from 11300' by battery H15 (Grimsby) of the Humber AA belt.
20/04/1942LancasterR548397sqnConingsbyThis aircraft was damaged on landing on return from operations. The aircraft was flying on 3 engines after one had failed in flight. On touchdown, the aircraft bounced, the pilot overcorrected and the undercarriage collapsed. Pilots F/Sgt HL Davies, P/O WJ Keough (Canadian) and their crew were unhurt.
20/04/1942WellingtonT28343OTUNorth of RaucebyThis aircraft was destroyed at 0120hrs when it crashed into high ground near Rauceby Vicarage whilst night-flying. The aircraft caught fire and burned out. Pilot P/O HE Rath (Canadian) killed, Wireless Operator Sgt KM Miegel (Australian) killed.
20/04/1942HampdenAD869420sqnWispingtonCoded PT-L, airborne at 0030hrs from Waddington for a night cross-country sortie. The aircraft crashed shortly afterwards and burst into flames on impact. Sgt H.H. Davis (Canadian) killed, Sgt J.C. Pritchard (Canadian) killed, Sgt G.G.J. Laronde (Canadian) killed, Sgt G.A. Player killed.
21/04/1942ManchesterR5791207sqnBottesfordThis aircraft was damaged at 1346hrs on landing from a ferry flight when the undercarriage collapsed after the pilot failed to keep the aircraft straight on the runway during a heavy landing and allowed the port wheel to enter a ditch that had been dug alongside the runway. Pilot Sgt LJ Lea and crew were unhurt.
21/04/1942LancasterR5500207sqnWaddingtonThis aircraft was severely damaged when the undercarriage collapsed on landing whilst on a flight delivering the aircraft for an engine change. Pilot P/O FP Roper (American) and crew were unhurt.
22/04/1942OxfordV352415(P)AFUKirmingtonThis aircraft was damaged when it struck a tree outside the airfield after the pilot overcorrected a swing on takeoff, causing the aircraft torun off the runway. Pilot Sgt Matthews was unhurt.
24/04/1942TyphoonR7654266 SqnGreat Casterton Nr. Stamford, RutlandP/O N N Allen was killed when his Typhoon crashed in to the ground at high speed from a low height. The aircraft failed to recover from a high speed dive.
25/04/1942ManchesterL728983sqnScamptonThis aircraft was damaged on a night-time training sortie at 0250hrs when the pilot held off too late and the aircraft touched down heavily, bounced and the wing touched the ground. Pilot F/O MA Sproule and his crew were unhurt.
25/04/1942WellingtonR166111OTUWaddingtonAirborne from Steeple Morden for a night cross-country sortie. The aircraft was wrecked when it undershot the runway on landing and crashed into the station sewage works at 0411hrs. Sgt D.M. Telford killed, Sgt D.C. Marsden injured, F/Sgt C.A. Parke (Canadian) killed, P/O H.J. Snelling killed, Sgt H.W. Woodward injured.
26/04/1942DefiantN1762288sqnColebyThis aircraft was destroyed during a mock invasion exercise at Digby. The aircraft took off from Coleby at 0600hrs as one of a formation representing the enemy. The pilot reported problems with the aircraft after take-off and it crashed almost immediately. Pilot Sgt J Krauz (Polish) was severely injured and taken to Bracebridge hospital. he die at 1900hrs the same day without having regained consciousness.
27/04/1942BeaufighterR2464409sqnColeby GrangeThis aircraft was damaged in a heavy landing at night when strong winds caused it to drop sharply whilst on approach, with the undercarriage collapsing on touchdown. Pilot Sgt LCW Thomas and his unnamed navigator were unhurt.
28/04/1942WellingtonZ837612sqnBinbrookThis aircraft was damaged on take-off for a night-flying test ahead of operations. The tailwheel had not castored properly and this caused damage to the tail beams. Pilots P/O A Lutz (Australian), F/Sgt RGK Holden (Australian) and crew were uninjured.
28/04/1942HudsonAM63959sqnSpurn HeadThis aircraft was lost whilst on a low-level bombing practice sortie against a wreck in the Humber. The wingtip caught the water whilst turning and the aircraft crashed, killing all on board. Pilot P/O DV Thesiger killed, Sgt HF Neary (Canadian) killed, Sgt E.S. Normore (Canadian) killed, Sgt JR Hoskins (Australian) killed.
29/04/1942HampdenP130314OTUGunby, nr GranthamAirborne from Cottesmore for single-engine flying practise. The pilot lost control at 200ft and the aircraft dived in. Sgt W.J. Nicholls (Australian) killed, Sgt J. McW. Stewart killed.
30/04/1942DefiantN3456288sqnDigbyThis aircraft was damaged when the undercarriage sollapsed as the aircraft overshot the runway. Pilot Sgt H.G.W. Smith (Australian) was unhurt.
30/04/1942LancasterR554197sqnnr WragbyCoded OF-? This aircraft was wrecked whilst on a night-flying test ahead of the night's operations when it force-landed in a field approximately 4 miles E of Wragby at 1525hrs after losing height rapidly due to faulty fuel-cock manipulation. F/Sgt A.I Altree injured, F/Sgt C.W.Brown injured.

May

DateTypeSerialUnitLocationNotes
02/05/1942HudsonAM52753sqnDonna NookThis aircraft was damaged at 2330hrs whilst taxying out to take off for a training flight. The pilot taxied 100 yards beyond some obstruction lights to get a longer take-off run, but as he was not using his landing lamp he failed to spot an open drain and one wheel slid into it. Pilot P/O CD Barnett (Canadian) and his crew were unhurt.
03/05/1942SpitfireP7603CGSSutton BridgeThis spitfire was struck by another aircraft (P8090) whilst it was stationary on the dispersal. It was repaired on site.
03/05/1942SpitfireP8090CGSSutton BridgeF/Lt C D Whittingham was preparing to taxi out for an air firing practice sortie at 15:20, He swung the aircraft out to the right and collided with a stationary Spitfire (P7603) The ground crew were trying to direct him but he became distracted by a radiator temperature warning light. Neither aircraft was too badly damaged.
04/05/1942OxfordAT73915(P)AFUBarnetbyThis aircraft was wrecked when it crashed following failure of the port engine and propellor in flight. Pilot Sgt AB Goff (American) was killed.
05/05/1942WellingtonW537712sqnBinbrookThis aircraft was damaged on landing from operations at 0640hrs when bombs which had hung up in flight were shaken loose from their carriers by the jolt of touchdown and damaged the aircraft. Pilots F/Sgt FD Roddy (Canadian), Sgt AJ Millar and crew were uninjured.
05/05/1942WellingtonX9816103 SqnElsham WoldsCoded PM-? The aircraft landed short of the runway on return from a training cross-country flight at 0154hrs and hit a fence. A fire broke out which destroyed the airframe. Sgt J.G. Blandford injured, Sgt F.B. Swinfin injured, Pilot Sgt FGE Quested injured, P/O J.W. Craig injured, Sgt G.McC McGavin killed.
05/05/1942WellingtonZ133842sqnGrimsbyThis aircraft was damaged on landing from a night-time cross-country sortie at 0100hrs. On his second attempt to land, the pilot overshot the runway and the aircraft ran into a ditch. Pilot Sgt A Harker and crew were uninjured.
05/05/1942LancasterR555397sqnWoodhall SpaThis aircraft was damaged when it crash-landed at the airfield after it returned early from an operation against Stuttgart due to hydraulic failure. No injuries reported to the crew, and no crew names recorded.
06/05/1942WellingtonW5573305sqn2 miles east-northeast of Blyton airfieldThis aircraft was wrecked at 0543hrs on return from operations. The pilot became lost and was unable to obtain assistance from the 'Darkie' homing system to find his base. he attempted to land at another nearby airfield as the aircraft was extremely low on fuel, but as he approached he discovered the runways were blocked by barbed-wire barricades. On opening up the throttles to climb away, both engines cut out and the pilot made a forced landing in a ploughed field, striking some wood and overturning the aircraft. Pilot P/O T Ginter (Polish) injured, F/O KZ Wieliczko (Polish) unhurt, F/O Siarkowski (polish) injured, Sgt Kita (Polish) injured, Sgt Borowiak(Polish) injured, Sgt Galewicz(Polish) injured.
06/05/1942WellingtonX3673150sqnBlytonThis aircraft was destroyed on returning from operations at 0530hrs. The pilot made a forced landing on the airfield at Blyton after the port engine caught fire in the air. On touchdown, the aircraft struck an obstruction on the airfield and caught fire. Pilot Sgt RW Baxter (Australian) and his crew all sustained injuries in the crash. After escaping from the wreckage, Sgt Baxter discovered that his wireless operator was missing as he mustered the crew. He re-entered the burning aircraft and rescued the trapped airman, and was awarded the George Medal for this action. Sgt RW Baxter (Australian) injured, Sgt EG Bounds injured, F/Sgt AR Tipple injured, Sgt M Swale injured, Sgt DS Bright injured, Sgt Gettings injured.
06/05/1942WellingtonZ87193OTUCranwellThis aircraft was damaged on take-off for a night-flying sortie at 0005hrs when it overshot the end of the flarepath and struck a stone wall after the pilot rejected his take-off due to the airspeed indicator failing to register. Pilot P/O PS Champion-Jones, Sgt SAG Priestley (Australian) unhurt.
06/05/1942OxfordB357612(P)AFUHarlaxtonThis aircraft was damaged when it landed wheels-up on the airfield after the pilot forgot to lower the undercarriage on approach. Pilot Sgt Cochrane.
07/05/1942WellingtonR1610300sqnHemswellThis aircraft was destroyed at 0010hrs when the aircraft failed to become airborne after the throttles retarded due to the lever dampers not being tightened to prevent the throttle levers slipping back. Pilots Sgt L Szychowiak (Polish), Sgt L Rebinski (Polish) and crew were unhurt.
07/05/1942SpitfireW3410306sqnKirton in LindseyF/O S Kedyierski (Polish) overshot his landing and touched down 450 feet from the boundary, uneven surface meant that the aircraft was bouncing so the brakes were only effective for the last 250 feet, when the aircraft hit a down slope the pilot tried to turn the aircraft in an attempt to avoid the boundary fence, resulting in the port side undercarriage collapsing.
08/05/1942OxfordAB71112(P)AFU1 mile south-west of HarlaxtonThis aircraft was damaged whilst making a forced landing in a field after the port engine cut out in flight. The pilot was unable to maintain height and the undercarriage retracted on landing. Pilot Sgt RB Stitt received minor cuts and bruises in the incident.
08/05/1942HurricaneL19351AAS1/4 mile south of Brackenborough HallWhilst airborne for a cine gunnery exercise, this aircraft's engine failed in flight. The pilot, F/Sgt D Dewan (New Zealander) was injured whilst making a forced landing in a field. The aircraft landed with wheels down and class="alt"overturned when it hit a dyke.
08/05/1942WellingtonZ116121OTUBeckinghamAirborne from Moreton-in-the-Marsh for a night cross-country sortie. During the flight, the port engine caught fire. The aircraft had been partially abandoned when it crashed into a tree at 0250. Sgt R.I. Hart injured, Sgt P.W.S. Brooke injured, Sgt H.H.J. Rohrlach (Australian) killed, Sgt W.L. Williams (Australian) killed, Sgt I. McN. Fergusson killed, Sgt T.J. Tighe (Canadian) unhurt.
08/05/1942OxfordAB56512(P)AFUHarlaxtonThis aircraft was damaged when the undercarriage collapsed in a heavy landing. Pilot Sgt Kirby was unhurt.
08/05/1942SpitfireAD265306sqnKirton in LindseyAt 23:00 Sgt W Potocki (Polish) overshot his landing on a slippery surface, he struck the barbed wire fence on the perimeter. Extra notes on the card state that proposals were then made for enlargement of the aerodrome to make two runways of adequate length. the sloped sections on the runway meant that safety margins for overshooting were small.
08/05/1942SpitfireAR381306sqnKirton LindseyThis aircraft was damaged on landing when the aircraft bounced and slid on the airfield surface after the brakes proved ineffective on the slippery airfield surface. Pilot F/O Szpakowicz (Polish) was unhurt.
08/05/1942LancasterL757883sqnScamptonThis aircraft was damaged whilst demonstrating circuits and landings at 1000hrs. The tailwheel collapsed during a normal landing. Pilot P/O R MacFarlane and crew were uninjured.
09/05/1942HavocAH4781459fltHibaldstowThis aircraft was damaged when it landed wheels-up on the airfield after hydraulic problems in flight. Pilot Sgt JD Humphreys and wireless operator Sgt Follis were unhurt.
09/05/1942ManchesterR577850sqnSkellingthorpeCoded VN-? Airborne at 2147hrs 8/May/42 from Skellingthorpe for Warnemunde. The aircraft was hit by flak while approaching the target, and soon afterwards the starboard engine failed. The Manchester landed safely at Skellingthorpe, but following a technical inspection, the bomber was declared a write off and was SOC 15/May/42. Sgt J.B.Wilkie, Sgt Byres, Sgt J.W.Campbell, Sgt Benn, Sgt D.W.Baird, Sgt E.W.Finch were all unhurt.
10/05/1942HurricaneN2482RAFCGranthamThis aircraft was wrecked at 1645hrs when it hit a wall as the pilot force-landed straight ahead with wheels and flaps retracted after the engine failed at 400 feet immediately after take-off. Pilot Cpl BH Castelow was injured in the incident.
10/05/1942OxfordAB65412(P)AFUHarlaxtonThis aircraft was damaged when the tailwheel broke off during a night training flight, possibly as a result of striking an unknown object. Pilot Sgt Boyer was unhurt.
11/05/1942OxfordR610615(P)AFUKirmingtonThis aircraft was damaged in a heavy landing. The pilot throttled back too soon, allowing the aircraft to fall heavily onto the runway, collapsing the undercarriage. The aircraft skidded off the runway and damage was sustained to the underside, engines and propellors. Instructor P/O Mackie and pupil Sgt Mcgowen were unhurt.
11/05/1942HudsonV916359sqnNorth CoatesThis aircraft was damaged when it belly landed at North Coates after an operational sortie. This was the crew's first operation and they were the only aircraft of the 3 dispatched to return. Pilot P/O AR Neilson (Canadian), Sgt GI Menzies, Sgt EH Whitney and Sgt HF Tuckwood were unhurt.
13/05/1942BeaufighterX7939236sqn15 miles north of the WashThis aircraft suffered damage to the airframe and starboard engine when the aircraft struck a treetop at 1840hrs as the crew were practising low-flying on a navigation exercise in very low cloud conditions. Pilot F/Sgt AL Bonnett (Canadian) and his unnamed navigator were unhurt.
13/05/1942HurricaneL1846RAFCCranwellOn the pilot's first solo flight on this aircraft type at 1500hrs he made a heavy landing, the aircraft bounced and the undercarriage collapsed. The pilot, Lt WEF Taylor had 15 minutes' experience on type at the time of the accident.
13/05/1942ManchesterL751950sqnNorth Farm, ThurlbyThis aircraft was destroyed at 1645hrs 6 minutes after take-off for a local flying sortie. The aircraft was seen to dive into the ground and catch fire on impact. No definite cause was discovered. Pilot F/Sgt PJW Blake killed, P/O A Bartlett killed, F/Sgt RL Cunningham killed, LAC WS Stevens killed, AC1 L Harrison killed.
13/05/1942Tiger MothT6305Station FlightWaddingtonF/Lt C H Button was taxying out behind a Lancaster to the runway at 14:30, the slipstream from the Lancaster blew the Tiger Moth over. The damage was too much for the maintenance team on site to repair, so contractors would be brought in to make the aircraft airworthy again.
15/05/1942OxfordB3570RAFCGranthamThis aircraft was damaged when it undershot the runway on landing. The pilot opened the throttle too early, causing the starboard engine to flood and fail. The pilot was slow to apply corrective action, the aircraft stalled and crashed. Pilot LAC Sheppard was uninjured.
15/05/1942WellingtonZ1270300sqnHemswellThis aircraft was damaged at 1455hrs when a strong gust of wind caught the aircraft at the last stage of landing and caused it to touch down heavily enough to collapse the undercarriage. Pilot F/O B Klecha (Polish) and his crew were uninjured.
16/05/1942WellingtonZ1286142sqnGrimsbyThis aircraft was damaged at 1545hrs when it overshot the runway and crashed through a hedge whilst the pilot was practising flapless landings during a night-flying test. Pilot Sgt NJ Warfield and his crew were all injured in the incident.
16/05/1942HurricaneAG282253sqnHibaldstowAt 1845hrs whilst taxying out to take off on an air test flight, the starboard wheel ran into an unmarked open brick drain hidden by grass on a rough part of the airfield. The undercarriage collapsed and the aircraft was damaged. Pilot F/Sgt R Hutchinson was uninjured.
16/05/1942HudsonAM864407sqnnr Woodhall SpaThis aircraft was destroyed at 0040hrs when it crashed and burned out 0.5 miles north of Woodhall Spa on return from a convoy attack. Pilot P/O JW Creeden, F/Sgt JA Easton (Canadian) killed, F/O RK Howson (Canadian) killed, F/Sgt DE Parks (Canadian) killed, F/Sgt JHR Powell (Canadian) killed.
16/05/1942HampdenP212016OTUSaxilbyAirborne from Upwood on a night navigation sortie, the pilot lost control at 10,000ft whilst flying on instruments in thick cloud and spun in at 2359hrs. One crew member, believed to be an air gunner, successfully abandoned the aircraft before it crashed. P/O W.H. Parr killed, F/Sgt D.C. Macnab (Canadian) killed, F/Sgt K.G. McKee (Canadian) killed.
17/05/1942WellingtonZ853312sqnBinbrookThis aircraft was damaged on landing from a cross-country flight at 0115hrs when the aircraft overshot the runway and struck a hedge, tipping onto its nose. Pilot P/O DW Rowe and his crew were uninjured in the incident.
17/05/1942OxfordR624315(P)AFUKirmingtonThis aircraft was damaged when the undercarriage collapsed in a heavy landing. The aircraft sustained damage to the underside, engines and propellors. Pilot Sgt Copper was unhurt.
17/05/1942HudsonAM63259sqnSea, 1 mile Donna NookThis aircraft was lost at 0050hrs whilst on a night time circuits and bumps flight. The pilot was attempting an approach with full flap deployed when the flaps failed and the aircraft crashed into the sea 1.5 miles due east of Donna Nook. Pilot P/O G.McLean killed, F/Sgt DC MacDonald (Canadian) killed, Sgt E McDonald killed, Sgt TS Heron killed.
17/05/1942OxfordV366615(P)AFUSnellandThis aircraft was damaged in a forced landing after the starboard engine failed in flight and the aircraft was unable to maintain height. It stalled on landing, the subsequent heavy touhdown overstressing the air frame. Pilots F/O Webb and P/O Mackie were unhurt.
18/05/1942OxfordAB66012(P)AFUHarlaxtonThis aircraft was damaged in a heavy landing. The pilot held off too high due to the view through the windscreen being obscured by rain. Pilot P/O Hannah was unhurt.
18/05/1942HudsonN7404CGSSutton BridgeThis aircraft was damaged during an air firing sortie when a defect with the interruptor cable on one of the guns allowed it to fire 6 shots through the tail of the aircraft. No crew names or injuries recorded.
19/05/1942OxfordAB65012(P)AFUGranthamThis aircraft was damaged in a heavy landing after the pilot held off too high. The view through the windscreen was obscured by rain. The undercarriage collapsed, causing damage to the underside, propellors and engines. Pilot Sgt Wyllie was unhurt.
20/05/1942LancasterR556549sqn6 Miles N. GranthamThis aircraft was damaged in flight at 0015hrs when its starboard wingtip clipped that of Manchester R5772 when flying in opposite directions. Neither aircraft was displaying navigation lights at the time, which was deemed to be a contributory factor in the accident. Pilot S/Ldr R Hilton and crew were unhurt.
20/05/1942ManchesterR577283sqn6 Miles N. GranthamThis aircraft was damaged in flight at 0015hrs when its starboard wingtip clipped that of Lancaster R5565 when flying in opposite directions. Neither aircraft was displaying navigation lights at the time, which was deemed to be a contributory factor in the accident. Pilot Sgt TJ Freeman and crew were unhurt.
20/05/1942LancasterL758144sqnWaddingtonCoded KM-R, this aircraft was wrecked at 1555hrs when it failed to become airborne for an airtest sortie. Before attaining flying speed, the hinged leading edge of the port wing blew open and the Lancaster veered from the runway, colliding with two parked Hampdens, P2094 & X3149, belonging to 420 Squadron. L7581 and P2094 were wrecked in the ensuing fire. Pilot W/O EW Wright and his crew were uninjured apart from passenger AC2 OF Cummins who was slightly injured.
20/05/1942HampdenP2094420sqnWaddingtonThis aircraft was wrecked whilst parked at 1555hrs when it caught fire after being struck by Lancaster L7581 when it ran off the runway whilst attempting to take off.
20/05/1942HampdenX3149420sqnWaddingtonThis aircraft was damaged whilst parked at 1555hrs after being struck by Lancaster L7581 when it ran off the runway whilst attempting to take off.
21/05/1942OxfordX6940RAFCBarkstonThis aircraft landed heavily after approaching low and striking the airfield fence. On being inspected for damage after landing, an airman was struck by a moving propellor. AC2 WG Strange was seriously injured and died 23/5/42 in hospital. Pilot LAC Robertson was unhurt.
21/05/1942ManchesterL7385207sqnBottesfordThis aircraft was damaged at 1515hrs when the tailwheel collapsed on landing from a training flight, having been damaged on take-off when the aircraft swung off the runway. Pilots F/Sgt FA Read, Sgt LR Wright and their crew were unhurt.
21/05/1942LancasterL7580207sqnBottesfordThis aircraft was damaged on landing from a training sortie at 1905hrs when the starboard main tyre burst, causing the aircraft to swin off the runway. The tailwheel was broken off when the aircraft struck a mound of earth. Pilots F/Lt SE Pattinson, P/O C Sharland (New Zealander) and their crew were unhurt.
21/05/1942ManchesterL7457106sqnConingsbyThis aircraft sustained damage to the tailwheel on landinf from a dual instruction sortie at 1945hrs. The tailwheel failed as a result of repeated heavy landings during circuits and landings sorties. Pilots P/O SL Cockbain, Sgt JR Cassels and their crew were unhurt.
21/05/1942OxfordL454012(P)AFUGranthamThis aircraft was damaged in a heavy landing after the pilot held off too high. The undercarriage collapsed, causing damage to the underside, propellors and engines. Pilot Sgt Ralphs was unhurt.
21/05/1942OxfordP183612(P)AFUGranthamThis aircraft was damaged when it landed wheels-up on the airfield after the pilot forgot to lower the undercarriage. Pilots Sgt Boyce and Sgt Dunn were unhurt.
21/05/1942OxfordW664912(P)AFUHarlaxtonThis aircraft was wrecked in a landing accident. The pilot was attempting to land on a dark night with a low cloudbase. The aircraft undershot the airfield and crashed at 0350hrs. The pilot was released from the wreckage and taken to the Station Sick Quarters at 0430hrs, then on to the RAF Hospital at Rauceby. Pilot Sgt Caldwell suffered a fratured jaw, cuts and bruises but survived.
21/05/1942WellingtonN29631AASManbyThis aircraft was damaged when it crashed after take-off due to failure of the port engine caused by fuel starvation related to the pilot not switching tanks in time. Pilot Sgt Cotterill and crew were unhurt.
21/05/1942OxfordV416815(P)AFURead's Island, in the HumberThis aircraft was wrecked when it crashed into the Humber after diving out of low cloud. Pilot Sgt BF Adams was killed.
23/05/1942WhitleyZ67373OTUCranwellWhilst taxying out for take-off on a sortie to practice circuits and landings this aircraft was damaged when the undercarriage collapsed due to damage from previous heavy landings. Neither the instructor P/O E J Fisher nor his Canadian pupil Sgt CWA Cooper were injured.
25/05/1942SpitfireBL967133sqn Kirton LindseyThis aircraft was damaged whilst landing. A gust of wind caught the aircraft causing it to bank and then stall. It hit the ground hard and the undercarriage collapsed, resulting in damage to the underside and propellor. Pilot Sgt Eichar was unhurt.
25/05/1942SpitfireAR390306sqnNorth CoatesThis aircraft was damaged when it tipped on its nose at North Coates after one undercarriage leg collapsed on landing. No further details are recorded.
26/05/1942SpitfireBR172616sqnFen Lane, DunholmeThis aircraft was destroyed when it crashed after diving to the ground at high speed during a mock interception of some 303sqn Spitfires. During the dive, the aircraft's wings detached, and the aircraft caught fire on impact and burned out on the ground. Pilot P/O LB Ware (New Zealander) was killed.
26/05/1942MasterW853116PFTSIn a field off King St. Lane, near BourneThis Master was written off when LAC B Tomaszewski (Polish) had an engine failure whilst out on a training mission practicing landings at 11:10. The engine began to run rough and lost revs, he decided to put the aircraft down in a small field and hit bushes damaging the aircraft beyond repair.
28/05/1942WellingtonZ842012sqnBinbrookThis aircraft sustained damage to the tailwheel and beam when the pilot taxied across an unfinished portion of the peritrack after landing from a night-flying test sortie. Pilot Sgt Holgate and crew were unhurt.
28/05/1942OxfordV3548RAFCCranwellThis aircraft was damaged when it was blown into a hangar door by a gust of wind, wrecking the tail unit. No fiurther details recorded.
29/05/1942SpitfireBL941411sqnDigbyAfter being out on a sector reconnaissance flight Sgt EA Dawson (Canadian) returned to RAF Digby at 14:56 where he had a heavy landing and the undercarriage collapsed. The aircraft could be repaired but only by a team of external contractors.
30/05/1942LancasterR5509207sqnBottesfordThis aircraft was damaged at 1600hrs whilst taxying onto the runway to take off for a training flight. The tailwheel fell 9 inches into a hole at the side of the runway and was broken off. Pilot F/Sgt DB Nixon and his crew were unhurt.
30/05/1942Do217UNKUNKIn the sea off GrimsbyThis aircraft was claimed as destroyed by batteries H12, L2 and KL05 of the Humber AA belt at 0132hrs.
30/05/1942WellingtonN30081AASManbyThis aircraft was damaged when it caught fire during an engine run on the ground. No inhuries were reported.
30/05/1942ManchesterL749250sqnSkellingthorpeThis aircraft was damaged on landing from a cross-country sortie at 0015hrs. The pilot landed heavily in heavy rain, the aircraft bounced and touched down on one wheel causing the undercarriage to collapse . Pilot Sgt R Eyres, Sgt MH Rawlins, Sgt SA Gregg (Australian), Sgt Bohn, Sgt T McKerrow and Sgt CR Poole were all unhurt.
30/05/1942SpitfireP8250CGSSutton BridgeAt 12:00 Sgt M C Falkard had a burst tyre on take off. This damaged the undercarriage leg and the pilot could not retract the landing gear, he completed a circuit and landed straight away. A team of contractors were called in to repair the damage.
30/05/1942ManchesterR578650sqnWaddingtonThis aircraft was damaged on landing from a night-time cross-country flight at 0250hrs. The pilot was diverted to waddington due to bad weather at base and landed in heavy rain. The brakes were unable to halt the aircraft on the wet grass airfield and it ran through the boundary, across a road and came to rest in a field below the level of the airfield, wrecking the undercarriage. Pilot P/O DW Garland was unhurt, though two of his crew were injured.
31/05/1942WellingtonZ1279300sqnBarkstonThis aircraft was damaged when the pilot landed wheels-up on the airfield on return from operations after one engine failed in flight due to overheating and oil shortage. The pilot forgot to lower the undercarriage due to extreme fatigue from the flight. Pilot F/O A Dreja (Polish) and his crew were uninjured.
31/05/1942WellingtonR1452103 SqnElsham WoldsThis aircraft was damaged at 1615hrs on return from an air-test sortie. The pilot undershot the runway and struck a ridge at the end of the runway, causing the undercarriage to collapse. Pilot Sgt RC MacDonald and his crew were uninjured.
31/05/1942ManchesterL730849sqnInghamThis aircraft was damaged at 0500hrs on return from operations. The aircraft ran out of fuel in flight, causing one engine to fail and the other to splutter. The pilot made a forced landing at Ingham but touched down 10 feet outside the airfield boundary, causing the undercarriage to collapse. Pilot Sgt TG Irvine and crew were uninjured.
31/05/1942WellingtonX3448150sqnMottram's farm, FaldingworthCoded JN-N, this aircraft was airborne at 2315hrs 30/May/42 from Snaith for Cologne. It crashed on return at 0215hrs at Mottrams Farm, Faldingworth, 4 miles SW of Market Rasen. The Wellington came down in an inverted spin and burst into flames on impact, destroying the airframe. An investigation concluded that the pilot may not have been able to correct a swing in flight which led to the aircraft dropping a wing and spinning due to him having very short legs. Sgt S.B.Shaw killed, Sgt R.G.Peverill (Australian) killed, Sgt J.C.Dean killed, Sgt G.L.Mustoe (Australian) killed, Sgt L.Beck killed, Sgt K.Aird (Australian) killed.
31/05/1942WellingtonR1234103 Sqnnr KirmingtonCoded PM-? The aircraft was airborne from Kirmington on a transit flight back to Elsham Wolds after landing at Kirmington on return from operations to Cologne. Shortly after takeoff at 0550hrs, the port engine reduction gear failed, causing the propellor to come off. The aircraft stalled and spun into the ground 0.5 miles north-west of Kirmington airfield. Pilot Sgt L.W. Flowers killed, Sgt A.A. Conisbee killed, Sgt B.C. Slowly killed, F/Sgt N. Ryder injured, Sgt E. Robinson injured.
31/05/1942HampdenAE399420sqnWaddingtonCoded PT-P Airborne 2305hrs 30May40 from Waddington for Cologne. On return to base at 0403hrs, the pilot lost control as he touched down, and collided with a parked Lancaster belonging to the Conversion Flight (R5842). In addition to the injuries sustained by the two Hampden crew members, two airmen in the Lancaster, were also hurt. F/Sgt W.K.McDermid (Canadian) injured, F/Sgt L.H.Gardiner (Canadian) injured, Sgt Waddington & Sgt Wilkinson were unhurt.
31/05/1942LancasterRS84244sqnWaddingtonThis aircraft was damaged at 0403hrs whilst stationary when it was struck by Hampden AE399 which ran off the runway whilst landing. Crew names are not recorded, but 2 members of the crew were injured in the incident.
31/05/1942LancasterR555897sqnWoodhall SpaThis aircraft was damaged whilst taxying back to dispersal at 0017hrs when the tailwheel collapsed after it ran off the concrete taxiway and sank into soft ground. Pilots P/O WD McMurchy (Canadian), F/Sgt RH Morgan and crew were unhurt.

June

DateTypeSerialUnitLocationNotes
01/06/1942WellingtonZ843112sqnBinbrookThis aircraft was damaged when it crash-landed on the airfield at 2345hrs with a full bomb-load, having turned back 10 minutes after take-off for operations following failure of the port engine in flight. Pilot F/Sgt HM Goulter (Australian) and 3 of his crew were unhurt, though two unnamed members were injured.
01/06/1942ManchesterL746797sqnConingsbyThis aircraft was involved in an incident at 2345hrs when AC2 JK Anderson was killed when he inadvertently walked into a moving propellor as he went to assist the groundcrew remove a chock from one of the mainwheels.
02/06/1942WellingtonZ1410142sqnThoresby BridgeCoded QT-Z. Airborne at 2302hrs 1/Jun/42 from Grimsby for Essen. The aircraft was destroyed after it turned back with failing engines and crashed at 0022hrs at Thoresby Bridge, bursting into flames on impact. P/O Dp McDonald (Canadian) killed, Sgt RL Cox (Canadian) killed, Sgt T Sleeman killed, Sgt A Smith killed, Sgt WT Stanley killed, Sgt CM Harrison injured.
03/06/1942WellingtonR1585301sqn1 mile north of Hemswell airfieldThis aircraft was damaged at 1220hrs on landing from a transit flight from Holme-on-Spalding-Moor airfield where it had been loaned to another squadron for use on a raid. The aircraft touched down a third of the way down the runway and overshot through a hedge and crashed into a ditch. Pilot Sgt Wendon and crew were unhurt.
03/06/1942OxfordED13716 AFUCaistorOn a dual flight at 12:30, F/O C E Bateman (American) & Sgt I W Chester (Canadian) endured an undercarriage collapse on their 7th landing. The pilot had checked the indication lights and all was okay. On further inspection both sides of the undercarriage were locked down and no technical defect was detected. A team of contractors from the factory had to be called in to repair the aircraft in situ.
03/06/1942BeaufighterR2479409sqnHoldinghamThis aircraft was wrecked when it burned out after belly-landing in a field at 1820hrs. The starboard propellor went into full fine pitch after loss of oil, causing the aircraft to swing uncontrollably. Pilot P/O RH Hedger (Canadian) and his navigator Sgt P Williment suffered minor injuries in the crash-landing.
03/06/1942SpitfireP8583CGSSutton BridgeThis aircraft was damaged when the undercarriage collapsed on landing. Pilot F/Lt Formale was unhurt.
04/06/1942WellingtonZ1220300sqnInghamThis aircraft was damaged on landing at 0025hrs. The aircraft touched down heavily, bounced and the port tyre burst, causing the aircraft to stall, swing to port and the undercarriage to collapse. Pilots P/O S Waskiewicz (Polish), F/Sgt M Kostecki (Polish) and their crew were uninjured.
04/06/1942LancasterR561983sqnScamptonThis aircraft sustained damage to the tailwheel in a heavy landing from a training sortie at 2320hrs. Pilots F/Sgt Moorehart (Australian), F/Sgt Williams and their crew were unhurt.
05/06/1942LysanderV98851485FLTConingsbyThis aircraft was damaged whilst drogue-towing in a trial of a new type of gun turret being conducted by 44sqn. The aircraft was hit by bullets and the pilot, F/Sgt MLJ Lewis was injured, dying the following day of his wounds.
05/06/1942OxfordAT5871518 BAT FltGlenthamOn a Beam approach instrumentation training flight, Sgt Blackett & Sgt Reneham had an engine failure. Whilst at 1500 feet the aircraft developed excessive vibration and during a turn the engine cut out completely. The decision was made to bring the aircraft down and the pilot executed a successful forced landing in a field. on inspection the number one piston had seized. the aircraft could be repaired in the field it landed in.
05/06/1942OxfordP680415(P)AFUnr BigbyThis aircraft was wrecked when it hit a tree on the top of a hill at Pepperdale farm whilst low-flying. Instructor pilot Sgt LW Coote and pupil Sgt RJ Andrew were killed.
05/06/1942OxfordP680415(P)AFUnr HowshamThis aircraft was destroyed when it crashed after hitting a tree at Pepperdale farm whilst low-flying. Instructor Sgt LW Coote killed, pupil Sgt RJ Andrew killed.
06/06/1942DefiantT3983288sqnDigbyThis aircraft was damaged at 0255hrs when the undercarriage collapsed after running into soft ground whilst overshooting on landing due to brake failure caused by a fractured air pipe. Pilot Sgt HGW Smith (Australian) was unhurt.
06/06/1942SpitfireAR366306sqnKirton in LindseyP/O G Sologub (Polish) was third in formation, returning cross country after ops at 16:30. On landing he flattened out too high, stalled and bounced, the aircraft swung and the port undercarriage leg collapsed.
06/06/1942HampdenL413314OTUnr SkillingtonAirborne from Saltby for flying training. During the flight speed was lost and the aircraft spun in at 1345 near Mere Barn Farm, South Stoke, on the Lincolnshire border. P/O R.H. Broadley killed, Sgt H.G. Thurgar killed, Sgt R.L. Norris killed, Sgt J.D Henning (Australian) killed.
06/06/1942LancasterR551544sqnWaddingtonCoded KM-A, this aircraft was damaged at 0335hrs on return from a practice bombing sortie. The pilot approached too high and fast, touching down at 115mph near the 3rd flare along the runway and was unable to prevent the aircraft overshooting. Pilot P/O LM Tomkins was unhurt, 2nd pilot Sgt D Skinner and another member of the crew were injured.
07/06/1942OxfordN464615(P)AFUGoxhillThis aircraft was damaged on take-off when the pilot allowed his speed to fall, causing the aircraft to stall and skid into a hedge. Pilot P/O Stoke was unhurt.
07/06/1942HalifaxW1145405sqnnr BinbrookCoded LQ-S. Airborne 2351 6Jun42 from Pocklington. Abandoned, due to both outer engines failing, and crashed 0145 4 miles SW of Binbrook Airfield, Lincolnshire. As the crew parachuted, sheets of flame could be seen flaring from the port outer engine. F/Sgt W.B.Blizard (Canadian) Sgt M.D.Rea (Canadian) Sgt Elt Sgt Money Sgt Mitchell Sgt Nutt Sgt Butler Sgt Witherick.
07/06/1942HampdenN90701AASoff Saltfleet HavenThis aircraft was lost when it dived into the sea 3 miles offshore from 12000 feet at 1700hrs whilst on a training flight. Pilot Sgt DR Williams and trainee bomb-aimer P/O SWA Gibbs were killed.
08/06/1942LancasterL7566207sqnBottesfordThis aircraft was damaged on landing from a training circuits and landings sortie. On coming to a halt, it was discovered that the tailwheel had been damaged on the previous landing attempt when the aircraft had undershot and the tailwheel struck a patch of rough ground. Pilot Sgt CBC Miller and his crew were unhurt.
08/06/1942LancasterR5503207sqnBottesfordThis aircraft was severely damaged on landing from a night-flying test at 1145hrs. The starboard wing leading edge had not been properly secured after the daily inspection and flew open on approach, increasing the aircraft's stalling speed. The aircraft stalled onto the runway from 5-10 feet, the shock of the heavy touchdown caused welds on the sub-frame of the starboard outer engine to fail, leading to the engine faiiling off on the runway. Pilots F/O JH Leland, S/Ldr KP Beauchamp and crew were uninjured.
08/06/1942WellingtonX98121481FLTKirmingtonThis aircraft was damaged when the tailwheel struck a pile of stones obscured by long grass whilst taxying. Pilot F/Lt RM Pinkham and crew were unhurt.
09/06/1942ManchesterL7305106sqnConingsbyThis aircraft was damaged whilst taxying at 0235hrs during a circuits and landings sortie. Whilst turning at the downwind end of the runway, the tail struck some trestles which had been left by the side pf the peritrack. P/O EFG Healey, P/O BE Grein and their crew were unhurt.
09/06/1942SpitfireBL385411sqnDigbyAt 05:00 F/Sgt G C Sample (Canadian) was taking off to start a convoy patrol mission. On take off the aircraft hit a ridge and bounced causing the undercarriage to collapse. The aircraft was repairable but only by a team of contractors brought in.
10/06/1942ProctorP62471SSKirkby la ThorpeThis aircraft was wrecked when it crashed after hitting HT cables in flight after flying below them. The tail fin caught the bottom cable, the aircraft swung and crashed onto railway lines. Pilot Sgt WE Dalziel was killed, trainee LAC Friend was seriously injured.
11/06/1942ProctorP62541SSCranwellThis aircraft was damaged on return from a WT exercise. On landing in a crosswind, the aircraft ran onto rough ground and the pilot braked sharply. The aircraft tipped onto its nose, breaking the tail section off, which then struck the top of the fuselage. Pilot Sgt JS Ross was unhurt.
11/06/1942WellingtonT289818OTUHemswellAirborne at 1528hrs from Hemswell on a navigation sortie, but the port engine lost power & and the aircraft was unable to maintain height. The aircraft was wrecked when it crashed just outside the airfield boundary after overshooting on landing at 1630hrs. Pilot Sgt J Laudon (Polish) was unhurt but an unnamed member of his crew was recorded as injured in the incident.
12/06/1942OxfordBF97515(P)AFUKirmingtonThis aircraft was damaged when it stalled on approach and crashed just outside the airfield. Pilot Sgt Stoney was unhurt.
12/06/1942ManchesterL7402420sqnWaddingtonThis aircraft was damaged on landing from a training sortie. The pilot touched down heavily as he was unable to see the flarepath in thick fog that had formed, and the undercarriage collapsed. Pilots S/Ldr DJ Penman, F/Sgt FS Hiley, Sgt E Fortin (Canadian) and their crew were unhurt.
14/06/1942WellingtonZ1337301sqnHemswellThis aircraft was damaged at 1430hrs when it belly -landed on the airfield after severing the starboard undercarriage when it struck a nissen hut whilst taking off. Pilot Sgt P Hur (Polish) and crew were unhurt.
15/06/1942WellingtonZ1244300sqnInghamThis aircraft was damaged at 1142hrs whilst the pilot was practising taking off with a full bombload. Whilst on the runway, he ran the engines up too much and released the brakes too late to prevent the aircraft tipping onto its nose. Pilot Sgt L Michalski (Polish) and his crew were uninjured.
16/06/1942ManchesterR579349sqnScamptonThis aircraft was damaged whilst taxying at 1015hrs. One engine responded sluggishly to the throttles and the aircraft swung, striking a lorry with the tail. Pilot P/O WA Fowlie and his crew were unhurt.
17/06/1942WhitleyAD69624OTUHemswellWhilst airborne on an instructional flight, pilot S/Ldr P de G H Seymour landed at Hemswell to have the aircraft's intercom repaired. This was not possible so S/Ldr Seymour decided to return to base. On startup, the starter trolley provided was found to be the wrong voltage and would not work, so the aircraft's internal batteries were used. On taxying out under guidance of an airman, the aircraft was damaged when its tail struck the starter trolley which had been left too close.
17/06/1942LancasterR566783sqnScamptonThis aircraft was damaged whilst the engines were being started by the groundcrew at 1405hrs. The undercarriage selector switch had been left in the up position, causing the undercarriage to collapse when the port inner engine was started. A member of the groundcrew, LAC HW Palmer, who was underneath the aircraft at the time was killed in the incident.
18/06/1942Stinson Reliant SR-10BS803STN FLT HestonDonna NookWing Commander MH Fresson was landing at 11:15 after part of a transit flight when the aircraft overturned. No technical fault was found on the aircraft or brakes, it is possible that higher than normal brake pressure had built up and thus causing the aircraft to turn over.
18/06/1942WellingtonW538112sqnRothwell Top, nr ThoreswayCoded PH-? The aircraft encountered bad weather on an air test flight and flew into a hillside in very poor visibility. P/O J.G. Power(Canadian) killed, Sgt R.G. Burton severely injured, Sgt Howard injured, Sgt Shelley injured.
18/06/1942LancasterL753744sqnWaddingtonThis aircraft was damaged in a heavy landing at 0240hrs. The shock of the touchdown caused faulty welds in the engine bearer subframe to break, and the engine fell off. Pilot P/O JT Chrystal and crew were unhurt.
19/06/1942HampdenAE368415sqnDonna NookThis aircraft was wrecked on landing at 0135hrs when the undercarriage collapsed on touchdown due to not having been fully locked into place. Pilot P/O WH Adams and crew were uninjured.
19/06/1942ManchesterL747949sqnScamptonThis aircraft was damaged on landing after a training flight at 1420hrs when structural damage was discovered. Pilot Sgt RL Cumberland (Australian) and crew were unhurt.
19/06/1942LancasterR553797sqnWoodhall SpaThis aircraft was damaged on landing from a local flying sortie at 1500hrs. The pilot finished the landing run on a grass surface, during which the tailwheel unit fell off. Pilots P/O JT Blease (New Zealander), Sgt JM Dinning (Australian) and their crew were unhurt.
20/06/1942WellingtonZ858512sqnBinbrookThis aircraft was damaged when the undercarriage struck the airfield Chance light after swinging on take-off at 2334hrs. The bombload was jettisoned at sea and the aircraft made an emergency landing on the damaged undercarriage on the airfield at 0055hrs. Pilot Sgt GC Keats and crew were unhurt.
20/06/1942LancasterR5507207sqnBottesfordThis aircraft was damaged on take-off at 1710hrs. The aircraft swung off the runway and the tail hit an obstruction on the grass area. Pilots F/Sgt FA Read, Sgt LR Wright and crew were unhurt.
20/06/1942SpitfireP7913CGSSutton BridgeThis aircraft was damaged when it struck a telegraph pole on approach to land. Pilot F/LT Pierce was unhurt.
21/06/1942HampdenP2084CGSSutton BridgeThis aircraft was damaged when the undercarriage collapsed on return from a gunnery training sortie. No further details or injuries recorded.
22/06/1942MasterDK985RAFCBarkston HeathThis aircraft was wrecked when it stalled on approach to land and crashed. Pilot F/Sgt RH Allignol (French) was killed.
22/06/1942WellingtonZ895615 OTUHemswellThis aircraft sustained damaged to the undercarriage in a heavy landing on this date. Pilots S/Ldr J Michalowski (Polish), P/O A Rabajczak (polish) and their crew were uninjured.
22/06/1942BostonBB9021459fltHibaldstowThis aircraft was damaged when it belly-landed on the airfield after the nose hatch opened in flight whilst returning from a flight to Sutton Bridge, preventing the nosewheel from lowering. The nose compartment was sealed off from the main fuelage of the aircraft, so the pilot had to break a hole through the fabric divider and hand a note to the passenger in the nose ordering him to bale out. The passenger, Air Cadet WB Gunn made a successful parachute descent from 6500 feet near Blyton. The pilot, P/O Anderson and F/Sgt Taylor stayed with the aircraft and were unhurt in the belly-landing.
23/06/1942HampdenAD786420sqnBoothby PagnellCoded PT-L, Airborne at 2325hrs from Waddington to lay mines off Lorient (Artichokes Region). This aircraft was wrecked when it crashed and caught fire at 2347hrs near Boothby Pagnell, 5 miles SE of Grantham. F/Sgt Hiley, who had gained an immediate DFM during operations to Stuttgart in May 1942, was admitted to Grantham Hospital. F/Sgt F.S. Hiley DFM, (Canadian) injured, F/Sgt G.H. Germain (Canadian) killed, Sgt G.D. Johnson killed, Sgt K.C. Little (Canadian) killed.
23/06/1942LancasterL7544207sqnBottesfordThis aircraft was damaged on landing from a dual training sortie at 1840hrs. On touchdown one tyre burst, causing the aircraft to swing off the runway. As it was headed for a workman's tent, which the pilot believed to be occupied, he swung the aircraft further and the undercarriage collapsed. Pilot S/Ldr TC Murray and crew were unhurt.
23/06/1942HudsonFH35059sqnDonna NookThis aircraft was damaged on landing from operations at 0310hrs. The aircraft touched down on the wet grass surface of the airfield and overshot into a 4 foot deep dyke when the brakes proved ineffective at stopping it. Pilot P/O M Charlton (Australian) and his crew were unhurt.
23/06/1942BlenheimZ748913OTUGranthamThis aircraft was involved in an incident at 1540hrs whist the engines were being warmed up on the ground prior to taxying. One of the duty groundcrew misunderstood the pilot's signal and went to remove the chocks whilst the starboard engine was being run up. The slipstream caused him to lose his balance and he fell into the moving propellor. AC2 Smithson was injured in the incident.
23/06/1942LancasterR549697sqnWoodhall SpaThis aircraft suffered structural damage in a hard landing from a practice bombing sortie at 1430hrs. Pilot P/O Briant and crew were unhurt.
24/06/1942OxfordW663215(P)AFUBassingthorpeThis aircraft was damaged when it force-landed wheels-up in a field after the pilot became lost on a cross-country flight and fuel ran short. Pilot P/O Murray was unhurt.
24/06/1942WellingtonZ837512sqnBinbrookThis aircraft was slightly damaged during inspection in a hangar when sparks from a hand-starter magneto ignited vapours from petrol in an open can nearby. AC1 AE Bristow dragged the burning can away from the aircraft to prevent further damage and died on July 1st in Grimsby hospital from serious burns received in the incident.
24/06/1942SpitfireAA882303sqnHibaldstowF/O E Horbaczewski (Polish) landed at 01:05 with his undercarriage retracted, his cockpit drill was not carried out and he forgot to lower the gear. The aircraft needed to be taken away for repair.
24/06/1942SpitfireBH255616sqnKirton in LindseyAt 19:50 on returning from a practice formation flight P/O J H Smithson hit a pole on the downwind boundary of the aerodrome. The damage was minor and could be repaired on site.
24/06/1942WellingtonP92351AASManbyThis aircraft was damaged when the tailwheel broke on landing, causing the tail section to be dragged along the ground. Pilot P/O Stanton and crew were unhurt.
25/06/1942SpitfireBL808416sqnDigbySgt W J Anderson (Canadian) was relocating with his squadron to RAF Digby at 10:45, during his first landing on a grass runway he held off too high and landed heavily. As a result the port undercarriage collapsed. The aircraft would need to be taken away for repair.
25/06/1942HampdenAT235415sqnDonna NookThis aircraft was damaged whilst taxying back to dispersal on return from operations at 0300hrs. The pilot was following torch signals from an airman, who failed to give the 'stop' signal until it was too late for the pilot to halt the aircraft before it struck parked Hampden AT243. Pilot F/Sgt J MacCallum and crew were unhurt.
25/06/1942HampdenAT243415sqnDonna NookThis aircraft was damaged whilst parked on dispersal at 0300hrs by taxying Hampden AT235. No crew were aboard at the time.
26/06/1942WellingtonX98151481FLTBinbrookThis aircraft was damaged at 1045hrs during daily inspection by the groundcrew. The Verey pistol had been left loaded and was triggered accidentally, shooting a flare straight up through the port on the top of the fuselage. The flare landed on the aircraft's wing and burned a sizeable section of the wing fabric off before the fire was extinguished. No injuries reported.
26/06/1942LancasterR562683sqnScamptonThis aircraft was damaged on landing from operations at 2355hrs. The tailwheel collapsed due to progressive weakening caused by previous heavy landings. Pilot P/O J Partridge and crew were unhurt.
27/06/1942LancasterR5686207sqnBottesfordThis aircraft was damaged on take-off for operations at 2345hrs. The aircraft swung during the take-off run, causing the undercarriage to collapse. Faulty welding on one of the engine bearers caused an engine to fall off and catch fire. Pilot Sgt CBC Miller and his crew were unhurt.
27/06/1942LysanderV97973OTUCranwellThis aircraft was damaged in a collision with an Anson on this date whilst taxying in a crosswind. The incident is not recorded in the unit's records.
27/06/1942Do217-E4U5+AB3/KG2in the WashThis aircraft was destroyed when it was shot down by F/Lt Moody/P/O Marsh in a 151sqn Mosquito. The aircraft exploded in the air, and a further explosion was seen when the aircraft hit the sea.
27/06/1942WellingtonP9230CGSSutton BridgeThis aircraft was damaged when an engine caught fire during a ground running test. No crew were involved and no injuries recorded.
28/06/1942BeaufighterX8029409sqnColeby GrangeThis aircraft was damaged when the undercarriage collapsed following a heavy landing from a night-flying test at 1530hrs. Pilot F/Sgt AE Thomas (Canadian) and his unnamed navigator were unhurt.
28/06/1942OxfordAB75112(P)AFUHarlaxtonAt 13:30 Sgt R A Nightingale had a heavy landing, he flew the aircraft in to the ground and it bounced, as it touched down the second time the undercarriage collapsed. The aircraft could be repaired on site by contractors.
29/06/1942HampdenAT238415sqnDonna NookThis aircraft was damaged on landing from a practice bombing sortie at 0350hrs. The pilot made a normal landing, but the aircraft struck a bump on the airfield and bounced slightly. The pilot braked to no effect, and unsuccessfully attempted to ground-loop the aircraft. Neither action was able to prevent the aircraft running into a ditch. Pilot F/O WD McMillan (Canadian) and his crew were unhurt.
29/06/1942OxfordAP45715(P)AFUKirmingtonThis aircraft was damaged after an engine cut on take off. The aircraft swung, overstressing the undercarriage, which failed. The aircraft crashed and skidded down the runway. Pilot Sgt Wright was unhurt.
30/06/1942OxfordAB65912(P)AFUHarlaxtonThis aircraft was damaged in a heavy landing, caused by the pilot holding off too high. Pilot Sgt Anderson was unhurt.
30/06/1942LancasterL753950sqnSwinderbyThis aircraft was damaged when the pilot braked late during his landing run from a night-time cross-country sortie at 0400hrs. On applying the brakes, the pilot discovered they were ineffective so swung the aircraft to avoid running through the airfield boundary. The aircraft came to rest with the tail through the hedge. Pilot F/O H Southgate and his crew were unhurt.
30/06/1942HampdenP1257420sqnWaddingtonThis aircraft was damaged when it landed wheels-up on the airfield on return from a night-flying test at 1530hrs. The starboard aileron control had snapped in mid-air and the port control had become loose. Part of the hydraulic system was working but the undercarriage failed to lower, possibly as a result of damage inflicted by raising the gear too soon on take-off. Pilot P/O B.M.Adilman and his crew were unhurt.

July

DateTypeSerialUnitLocationNotes
01/07/1942HurricaneZ2415RAE, FarnboroughSutton BridgeTesting rocket projectiles which exploded, taking the wing off, crashed at Bridge farm Wg Cdr A F R Bennett, RAE test pilot killed
02/07/1942HampdenP206714OTUDeeping St NicholasThis aircraft was damaged at 1800hrs when it collided head-on in flight with Spitfire P8583 and force-landed in a field with the starboard engine torn off in the collision. Pilot F/Sgt F Hill and crew were unhurt.
02/07/1942OxfordAB76012(P)AFUGranthamThis aircraft was damaged when the tailwheel broke off after a heavy landing. Pilot Sgt McGrath was unhurt.
02/07/1942SpitfireP8583CGSnr CrowlandThis aircraft was destroyed at 1800hrs when it hit Hampden P2067 head-on in flight. The aircraft crashed at Holmes farm, Cloot Drove near Crowland. Pilot Sgt CI Scott (Chilean) was killed.
03/07/1942JU88A-4M2+BK2/KFG106Limes farm, BaumberThis aircraft was shot down by Spitfires of 303sqn flown by F/Gt Wunsche & F/Gt Popek. The aircraft crashed onto the roof of a farm building at 2020hrs and burned out. Fw H Majer, Obergefr H Wyborny, Uffz K Schachtschneider, Uffz T Frank were all killed.
03/07/1942JU88A-5M2+KK2/KFG106Odlings Farm, AswardbyThis aircraft was damaged by Spitfires of 303sqn flown by F/Sgt Wunsche, F/Sgt Popek, P/O Kolecki & Sgt Rokitnicki. The aircraft belly-landed in a field at 2035hrs and was burned out. Hptmn H Bergemann, Obergefr B Mueller, Uffz E Fahning, Uffz J Fickenwerth were all taken prisoner.
04/07/1942WellingtonN2893CGSSutton BridgeThis aircraft was damaged in a heavy landing as a result of hydraulic failure in flight. Pilot F/O Durkenton and crew were unhurt.
05/07/1942OxfordAP407RAFCCranwell SouthThis aircraft was damaged when both engines failed during take off. The aircraft crashed back onto the runway. Pilot LAC Churchman was unhurt.
05/07/1942LysanderT1618CGSDawsmere SchoolThis aircraft was slightly damaged when it force-landed at 1500hrs after running out of fuel on return from a target towing sortie over Holbeach range. Pilot Sgt WML Penny was unhurt.
06/07/1942WellingtonL7774CGSBains Farm Shingle Road, WinglandThis aircraft was wrecked when it burned out after making a forced landing 1 mile east of the airfield due to the engines catching fire in flight after loss of oil pressure. Pilot W/O DJ North-Bomford and crew escaped unhurt.
06/07/1942LancasterR5542106sqnConingsbyThis aircraft was damaged on landing from a dual instruction sortie at 0142hrs. The aircraft bounced on touchdown, stalled, and landed heavily on the port wheel, causing the port undercarriage to collapse. Pilots P/O EFG Healey, Sgt RW Butler and their crew were unhurt.
06/07/1942WhitleyT42283OTUCranwellWhilst taxying back to dispersal at 0145hrs after a 4 hour night flight, the rear gunner reported that the tailwheel had been torn off whilst the aircraft was taxying over rough ground. Neither the instructor P/O R A H Gyles nor the pilot Sgt Tweddle were held responsible.
06/07/1942OxfordN119012(P)AFUHarlaxtonThis aircraft was damaged in an unspecified landing accident on this date. Pilot P/O Gains was unhurt.
06/07/1942ManchesterR578849sqnScamptonThis aircraft was damaged on landing from a training flight at 1200hrs. On approach, the undercarriage lights were green, but 200 yards after touchdown the undercarriage warning horn sounded and the undercarriage collapsed. Pilot Sgt P Evison and his crew were unhurt.
07/07/1942SpitfireBL670303sqnKirton in LindseyAt 11:50 F/O W Wyganowski (Polish) was landing after a flying training sortie, he had a heavy landing and the aircraft was thrown down heavily on the starboard side, causing the starboard undercarriage to collapse. The maintenance unit on site was able to complete the repairs.
07/07/1942ManchesterL742149sqnScamptonThis aircraft was damaged on landing from a training flight at 0005hrs. The pilot landed heavily, causing the aircraft to bounce and damage the tailwheel. Pilot Sgt M Hartley and crew were uninjured.
08/07/1942BlenheimR366917OTU1/2 mile north-west of WellingoreThis aircraft was wrecked in a forced landing at 1740hrs after the starboard engine failed in flight. Pilot F/Sgt DI Grant (New Zealander) and his crew were unhurt.
08/07/1942OxfordAB75412(P)AFUHarlaxtonWhilst practising single engine landings, this aircraft was damaged when a particularly heavy touchdown overstressed the airframe. Pilot Sgt Brown was unhurt.
09/07/1942SpitfireAD176411sqnBardneySgt E A Dawson (Canadian) had an engine failure 56 minutes in to an aerobatics and cloud flying training flight at 16:10. His aircraft starved of fuel, he brought it in for a forced landing with the undercarriage retracted. The aircraft was not refueled since its previous flight, the pilot failed to check the gauges before departing. The aircraft needed to be stripped down and sent away for repair.
09/07/1942WellingtonZ1402301sqnBinbrook Decoy Site, LudboroughThis aircraft was damaged when it landed on Binbrook's decoy site at 0132hrs on return from operations. The port engine seized up in flight due to oil loss, and the pilot feathered the propellor. On seeing the lit flarepath nearby, the pilot prepared to land there, without realising it was a decoy site, not a real airfield. On approach, the flarepath went out, but the pilot, flying on one engine, had no option but to crash-land on the site. Pilot P/O M Stachiewicz (Polish) and his crew were injured.
09/07/1942WellingtonDV9273OTUCranwellThis aircraft was damaged at 0215hrs whilst landing on a training sortie. The aircraft swung and struck a flare, parts of which cut the port tyre and damaged the fuselage and tailplane. The pilot did not get out to inspect the damage but took off again, and the port tyre burst on the subsequent landing. Pilot Sgt PSD Pearce and crew were unhurt.
09/07/1942OxfordW665012(P)AFUGranthamThis aircraft was damaged when it force-landed in a hurry on the airfield with the undercarriage only partly extended after the starboard engine caught fire in flight. Instructor Sgt WH Frank and pupils Sgts Belgrove and Smitheringale were unhurt.
09/07/1942OxfordW657512(P)AFUHarlaxtonThis aircraft was damaged after the pilot failed to check that the runway lights were visible before attempting landing. The lights had failed, causing the aircraft to land heavily, short of the runway. Pilot Sgt Spence was unhurt.
10/07/1942WhitleyZ69623OTUCranwellThis aircraft was seriously damaged when it struck the ground on approach to land at 0210hrs after a training sortie. The pilots Sgt S C Harris and Sgt D M Cornish, a Canadian, mistook an amber flare on the ground for the airfield's glide path indicator, causing them to undershoot the airfield.
10/07/1942LancasterL756844sqnWaddingtonCoded KM-? This aircraft was wrecked at 0421hrs when it overran the runway whilst landing from a nighttime cross-country flight and crashed through the airfield perimeter hedge. No injuries reported to pilot F/Sgt NH Day and his crew.
11/07/1942OxfordL462115(P)AFUKirmingtonThis aircraft was damaged when it ran off the runway into soft ground due to brake failure on landing. Pilot Sgt Welner was unhurt.
12/07/1942WellingtonZ1419142sqnGrimsbyThis aircraft was damaged on landing from a training flight at 2330hrs. The aircraft swung to port on touchdown, and the pilot was unable to correct it, leading to the aircraft running off the runway onto rough ground and the port undercarriage collapsing. Pilot F/Sgt G Emerson (New Zealander) and his crew were unhurt.
12/07/1942OxfordP902615(P)AFUKirmingtonThis aircraft was damaged when it ran off the runway into a ditch on the airfield after the pilot failed to correct a swing on landing. Pilot Sgt Williamson was unhurt.
13/07/1942SpitfireEN912303 (Pol) SqnKirton in LindseyReturning at 08:45 after a patrol mission, F/O L Majewski (Polish) had his starboard undercarriage leg colapse. On take off, one and a half hours earlier, the starboard wheel hit a bump and was damaged, he noticed the impact and retracted the undercarriage normally. On landing he took every precaution possible, knowing full well there could be a problem. The fixing bolts had been damaged though, which caused the leg to collapse.
13/07/1942ManchesterL747650sqnSwinderbyThis aircraft was damaged by fire on the ground whilst it was stationary and being refuelled at 0300hrs. AC Voiels was involved in the incident but is not recorded as being injured.
14/07/1942LancasterR567297sqnConingsbyThis aircraft was damaged when the undercarriage retracted on the ground at 2300hrs as a fault was being investigated. On landing from a circuits and landings sortie, the pilot was only able to select 30 degrees of flap. On retrying, only 15 degrees was available. Whilst troubleshooting the issue with outer engines at 1500 rpm and inners at 1000 rpm, the undercarriage collapsed whilst the aircraft was stationary. Pilots P/O GC Hooey, F/Sgt LM Smith and their crew were unhurt.
15/07/1942WellingtonDV75918OTUBlytonThis aircraft was damaged whilst stationary awaiting a take-off slot at 1600hrs when it was struck by Wellington R1376 which swung on take-off. Pilot Sgt R Brych (Polish) and one of his crew were injured.
15/07/1942WellingtonR137618OTUBlytonThis aircraft was damaged at 1600hrs whilst taking off on a ferrying flight. The aircraft swung and collided with stationary Wellington DV759. Pilot F/Lt Z Krolikowski (Polish) and his crew were unhurt.
15/07/1942WhitleyP50493OTUCranwellAfter landing from a night circuits sortie, this aircraft was damaged at 0220hrs after it swung slightly in a crosswind whilst taxying and the tailplane struck the ground. The pilots Sgt G F W Huth & F/Sgt J N Roonce were uninjured.
15/07/1942SpitfireP7603CGSManor farm, Holbeach HurnThis aircraft was slightly damaged when it force-landed in a field after engine failure in flight due to a suspected glycol leak. Pilot P/O AH Sager was unhurt.
15/07/1942ManchesterR578049sqnScamptonThis aircraft was damaged on landing from a training flight at 1610hrs. The pilot undershot the runway on approach and struck a mound with the undercarriage, causing the aircraft to bounce and land heavily on the tailwheel, collapsing it. Pilot Sgt RL Cumberland (Australian) and his crew were unhurt.
16/07/1942OxfordAB68612(P)AFUHarlaxtonThis aircraft was damaged in a heavy landing when the pupil pilot misjudged his height on landing due to rain on the windscreen. The aircraft bounced, landed heavy on one wheel and the undercarriage collapsed. Pilot Sgt Green and instructor P/O Dodge were unhurt.
16/07/1942Tiger MothN694624 SqnScamptonW/Cdr D O F Lumsden was taxying out at 11:30 on a communication flight when he taxied behind a Manchester that was running. The slipstream from the other aircraft was enough to blow the Tiger Moth over.
17/07/1942LancasterR5505207sqnBottesfordThis aircraft was damaged on landing from a night-flying test at 1247hrs. The pilot held off too high and landed the aircraft heavily, causing it to bounce and the undercarriage to collapse. Pilot Sgt CBC Miller and crew were unhurt.
17/07/1942OxfordV393814(P)AFUDunholme LodgeOn a dual flight at 10:30, Sgt E F Nesmanson (Canadian) & P/O C M Parsons landed heavily in conditions of rain and bad visibility causing the port undercarriage leg to collapse. The aircraft could be repaired on site by contractors.
18/07/1942LancasterR5848106sqnConingsbyThis aircraft was damaged whilst taxying at 0115hrs. The pilot was unaware that he head taxied off the perimeter track until the aircraft collided with a searchlight. Pilot F/Sgt GA West and crew were unhurt.
18/07/1942OxfordV360312(P)AFUHarlaxtonThis aircraft was damaged in a heavy landing. The undercarriage collapsed on touchdown. Pilot Sgt F Brown received lacerations to his left foot in the incident.
18/07/1942SpitfireP7670CGSSutton BridgeThis aircraft was damaged when the undercarriage collapsed on touchdown during a heavy landing after failing to lock into place. Pilot P/O Bevan was unhurt.
20/07/1942LancasterR5628207sqnCranwellThis aircraft was damaged on return from operations at 0630hrs. The aircraft had sustained damage to the brakes over target, and on return was diverted to Wittering. The pilot discovered that the weather there was too bad to attempt a landing so went to Cranwell. On landing, the aircraft swung and ran through a wall on the airfield. Pilot F/Lt GA Ings and crew were unhurt.
20/07/1942OxfordN484915(P)AFUKirmingtonThis aircraft struck stationary Oxford P1082 whilst taxying. Damage was inflicted to the wings and fuselage of both aircraft. Pilot Sgt Reid was unhurt.
20/07/1942OxfordP108215(P)AFUKirmingtonThis aircraft was damaged whilst stationary when it was struck by taxying Oxford N4849. Damage was inflicted to the wings and fuselage of both aircraft.
20/07/1942LancasterR556583sqnScamptonThis aircraft was damaged whilst landing in bad weather at 0400hrs. The pilot braked, but the aircraft skidded on the wet grass surface of the airfield and struck a pile of earth near the perimeter track, causing the undercarriage to collapse. Pilot P/O AJ Rayment (Australian) and his crew were unhurt.
21/07/1942LancasterR5576106sqnConingsbyCoded ZN-? R5576 departed Coningsby for a practice bombing sortie but crashed almost immediately after take-off at 1603hrs due to failure of the port inner engine. Eye witnesses to the accident state that the Lancaster climbed slowly to about 200 feet, before stalling and falling near the airfield. P/O W.B.Carlyle (Canadian) killed, P/O G.R.Hanna (Canadian) (P2) killed, Sgt A.M.Blyth killed, Sgt J.K.Marshman (Australian) killed, Sgt R.M.Mathieson killed, F/Sgt A.G.Gibson (Canadian) killed, F/Sgt J.E.S.Walker (Canadian) killed, Sgt J.Teevin killed, LAC H.R.Forster killed, AC1 G.E.Smith killed.
21/07/1942Tiger MothN6755North Coates Station FlightDonna NookThis aircraft was visiting from North Coates for demonstration of flare dropping when Luftwaffe night intruder dropped incendiary bombs causing slight damage to the aircraft.
21/07/1942WellingtonZ1214142sqnGrimsbyThis aircraft was damaged whilst landing from a night-flying test at 1630hrs. The port engine failed in flight, and on landing after making a right-hand circuit of the airfield, the aircraft struck a pile of gravel, causing the undercarriage to collapse. Pilot P/O R Brooks and his crew were unhurt.
21/07/1942OxfordAP45715(P)AFUKirmingtonThis aircraft was damaged when the pilot made a heavy landing after losing control whilst demonstrating overshoot action, with insufficient height for overshoot, overstressing the airframe. Pilots Sgt Franks and Sgt Kirkham were unhurt.
21/07/1942SpitfireAR371303sqnKirton in LindseyAt 11:25, Landing after a training flight, P/O M Lipinski (Polish) landed with the undercarriage retracted. He became distracted by another aircraft approaching low and forgot to lower his own gear.
22/07/1942OxfordN664415(P)AFUCaistorThis aircraft was damaged when the undercarriage collapsed in a heavy landing caused by the pilot holding off too high and stalling the aircraft onto the runway. Pilot Sgt Fotheringham was unhurt.
22/07/1942MasterDL117RAFCCranwellThis aircraft was reported as being damaged beyond repair in an accident on this date. No record of the incident exists in the unit records, no accident record card seen for the aircraft.
22/07/1942HampdenAT152415sqnDonna NookThis aircraft was damaged when the pilot crash-landed the aircraft on the airfield at 0115hrs after hitting an obstruction whilst undershooting the airfield on approach to land from a training sortie. The engines had lagged in their response when the pilot opened the throttles, causing the aircraft to strike the obstruction. Pilot S/Ldr RR Dennis and his crew were uninjured.
22/07/1942AnsonNK16 Group Coastal CommandDonna NookThis aircraft brought AVM Baker from North Coates to Donna Nook for a demonstration of practice bombing and flare dropping. It was slightly damaged when a Luftwaffe night intruder dropped incendiary bombs on the airfield at 0019hrs. No accident record card was seen for this incident, the detail is recorded in North Coates' ORB.
22/07/1942OxfordEB74712(P)AFUHarlaxtonThis aircraft was damaged when the pupil pilot undershot the airfield and landed heavily outside the boundary . Instructor F/O Robertson and pupil Sgt Parker were uninjured.
23/07/1942HurricaneZ3893253sqnHibaldstowWhilst taking off for an air to sea gunnery exercise, the port tyre burst. On return to base at 1545, the aircraft landed and tipped over on its nose. Pilot F/Sgt R Hutchinson was uninjured.
23/07/1942OxfordN364715(P)AFUKirmingtonThis aircraft was damaged when the undercarriage collapsed after the aircraft bounced twice in a heavy landing. Pilot Sgt Roscow was unhurt.
23/07/1942LancasterR565849sqnScamptonThis aircraft was damaged during a fighter affiliation exercise at 1600hrs. Whilst manoeuvering to avoid mock attacks by a fighter, the port fin and rudder assembly collapsed. The pilot was able to land the damaged aircraft safely. Pilot P/O FR Elliott and his crew were uninjured in the accident.
24/07/1942AnsonAX50122OTUCassel farm near GainsboroughThis aircraft was damaged in a forced landing at 0130hrs when the pilot was unable to maintain height on a single engine after the starboard engine cut out in flight. Pilot Sgt J Grisales was unhurt.
24/07/1942WellingtonBJ595115sqnoff GrimsbyCoded KO-S, Airborne from Marham for Duisburg. On return obliged to ditch in the North Sea 10 miles off Grimsby, Lincolnshire. All survived and were rescued, unharmed, from their dinghy. F/Sgt Boutiller Sgt W.Scott Sgt A.Gallagher Sgt A.Clark Sgt T.Clarke.
24/07/1942AnsonN953614FPPWaddingtonF/O S Anderton was unable to lock down his undercarriage whilst on approach on a taxi flight, causing the undercarriage to collapse on landing.
25/07/1942LancasterR5683106sqnButterwick mud flatsCoded ZN-? Airborne at 0010hrs from Coningsby. This aircraft was destroyed a few minutes later when it exploded in mid-air whilst outbound on operations and crashed on mudflats at Butterwick, 4 miles ENE of Boston. Five days later, the London Gazette published details of the awards made to F/Sgt Appleyard and F/Sgt Darvill. F/Sgt G.Appleyard DFM killed, Sgt R.L.Beaddie killed, F/Sgt M.Darvill DFM killed, F/O R.B.Smith (Canadian) killed, Sgt J.W.Grimwade (Australian) killed, Sgt L.W.Young killed, Sgt J.D.Davie killed.
25/07/1942WellingtonW543712sqnNorth CoatesCoded PH-? Airborne at 0023hrs from Binbrook for Duisburg. This aircraft was wrecked when it returned early due to overheating engines and crash-landed at 0430hrs at North Coates airfield. No crew injuries. Following a technical inspection, the Wellington was struck off charge 21/Sep/42. Sgt W.Foster, Sgt J.W.E Ross, Sgt A.Crawford, Sgt C.A.Manchur (Canadian), Sgt E.W.Green.
25/07/1942SpitfireP8048CGSSutton BridgeThis aircraft was damaged at 1545hrs when it belly-landed on the airfield after the undercarriage did not lower. Pilot P/O GDC Bell was unhurt.
26/07/1942ProctorZ72191SSRoxholme HallThis aircraft was destroyed when it crashed after striking trees whilst flying low. Pilot P/O JMF De Clerq (Belgian) and passenger LAC DHJ James were killed.
26/07/1942HampdenAE314420sqnWaddingtonThis aircraft was damaged on landing from operations at 0319hrs. The pilot stalled the aircraft onto the runway, touching down heavily on the starboard wheel, bursting the tyre and causing damage to the skin on the fuselage centre section. Pilot Sgt Lundeen (Canadian) and his crew were unhurt.
27/07/1942WellingtonZ852612sqnBinbrookCoded PH-? Airborne at 2350hrs 26/Jul/42 from Binbrook for Duisburg. Landed back at base 0522hrs, at which point some incendiaries fell from the aircraft, setting fire to the Wellington's undersurfaces causing sufficient damage to wreck the aircraft. P/O D.W.Rowe Sgt R.L.S.Ritchie Sgt L.D.Graves Sgt J.Sharp Sgt C.Black were all unhurt.
27/07/1942HalifaxDG229103 SqnElsham WoldsThis aircraft was involved in an incident in flight at 2330hrs whilst on a dual instruction sortie. The pilot's escape hatch flew open and struck the pupil pilot, who was in control of the aircraft at the time, injuring him. The instructor took over and landed the aircraft without any further damage. The accident was attributed to the instructor and flight engineer having failed to spot that the hatch latches were not securely fastened before take-off. Instructor S/Ldr PB Robinson unhurt, pupil F/Sgt LE Moriarty (Canadian) injured, Flight Engineer Sgt SW Stockford unhurt.
27/07/1942LancasterR574044sqnWaddingtonThis aircraft was damaged on landing from operations at 0555hrs. The pilot instructed the 2nd pilot to lower the flaps, which he failed to do, causing the aircraft to land fast and overshoot into a ditch, breaking the undercarriage. Pilots S/Ldr P Burnett, P/O RH Suckling and their crew were unhurt.
28/07/1942WellingtonZ115012sqnBinbrookThis aircraft was damaged on landing from a night-flying test at 2115hrs. The pilot misjudged his approach in low cloud and rain, and the aircraft's ineffective brakes were unable to prevent it overshooting the runway. The pilot's vision on approach was hindered by the windscreen wiper blade having mostly disintegrated. the pilot turned the aircraft away from a dispersal hut it was heading towards but ran through a light fence on the peritrack where work was being carried out. Pilot Sgt WH Good and his crew were unhurt.
28/07/1942HalifaxW1218103 SqnLudboroughCoded PM-R The aircraft stalled & spun in from 1000 feet whilst on a training flight. The aircraft crashed at Cold Harbour Farm, Ludborough.Pilot Sgt S.W. Stockford killed, Sgt W.J. Birmingham (Australian) killed, Sgt D.C. Cochrane killed, Sgt L.J. Storey killed, F/Sgt S.N. Ryder killed, F/Sgt F.L.J. Harnett (Canadian) killed, F/Sgt A.F. Pearson (Canadian) killed.
29/07/1942WellingtonW542412sqnBinbrookCoded PH-D. Airborne 2337 29Jul42 from Binbrook for Saarbrucken and crashed almost immediately. All are buried in Binbrook (St.Mary) Churchyard. Sgt W.Foster killed, Sgt G.F.Stephens killed, Sgt C.A.Manchur (Canadian) killed, Sgt J.W.E.Ross killed, P/O M.H.James killed.
29/07/1942Vega GullX933924sqnCranwellA/Cdr Storan was taxying out at 10:00 when he was caught by the slipstream of another aircraft. The aircraft nosed over when the pilot braked.
29/07/1942HampdenAT113408sqnDry DoddingtonCoded EQ-A, the aircraft crashed at 1516hrs whilst on an air-test from Balderton prior to the Saarbrucken raid that night. The aircraft stalled and crashed into a field of oats 2 miles south-east of the airfield, catching fire on impact and being destroyed in the accident. The two air cadets were both 16 years old and had been taken up for an air experience flight. S/Ldr L.B.B. Price DFC (Canadian) killed, Sgt I. Hughes killed, Cdt G. Hughes ATC killed, Cdt K.R. Couzin-Wood ATC killed.
29/07/1942DefiantAA360278sqnNorth CoatesThis aircraft was destroyed whilst parked when it caught fire and burned out after being struck by Hudson AM694 at 1710hrs.
29/07/1942HudsonAM69459sqnNorth CoatesThis aircraft was damaged on landing from an air test sortie at 1710hrs. It ran into parked Defiant AA360 after the pilot was unable to disengage the tail wheel lock in time to turn to avoid colliding. Both aircraft caught fire, the Defiant being written off and the Hudson repaired. Pilot F/Sgt SG Duplooy (South African) and crew were unhurt.
30/07/1942OxfordAB70512(P)AFUHarlaxtonThis aircraft was damaged when it undershot on landing and collided with the airfield boundary fence, damaging the nose, engines, propellors and wings. Pilot P/O Taylor was unhurt.
30/07/1942HampdenAE19214OTUnr Market DeepingThis aircraft was damaged over Market Deeping in a mid-air collision with Hampden P5397 at 0315hrs. The aircraft landed back at Cottesmore despite major damage. Pilot P/O CE McIntosh (Canadian) and crew were unhurt.
30/07/1942HampdenP539714OTUWensor Castle Farm, Deeping CommonAirborne from Cottesmore for a night flying sortie. The aircraft collided in flight with Hampden AE192 (which survived & was repaired) and was wrecked when it crashed and caught fire in a field on Deeping Common at 0315hrs. Pilot Sgt AR Grubert (Canadian), Sgt OJ Edgar (Australian) and Sgt JM McCarthy (Australian) were slightly injured when they baled out before the aircraft crashed.
31/07/1942OxfordR607114(P)AFUDunholme LodgeP/O M W Dixon (New Zealander) at 16:15 landed his Oxford with the undercarriage retracted. The pilot became distracted by other aircraft in the area and forgot this vital part of his cockpit drill. The aircraft was repairable but not by the unit, outside contractors had to be brought in.
31/07/1942HampdenAD762415sqnnear Donna NookThis aircraft was destroyed when it crashed after returning early from a torpedo attack with engine trouble. The aircraft overshot the airfield on the pilot's first landing attempt, due to thick ground fog, and attempted a circuit. After a quarter of a turn had been made, the pilot lost control and the aircraft dived into the ground and caught fire some 2 miles from the airfield. Pilot W/O BDR McComb (Canadian) killed, F/Sgt M Bloomfield (Canadian) killed, F/Sgt RM Ennis (Canadian) killed, F/Sgt JH Labelle (Canadian) killed.

August

DateTypeSerialUnitLocationNotes
01/08/1942OxfordX6979RAFCBarkstonThis aircraft was damaged as the pilot attempted to overshoot to go around again. One wheel skidded, the aircraft bounced, damaging the undercarriage. Pilot Lt Bilsel was unhurt.
01/08/1942MasterW8598Digby Station FlightDigbySgt. C H Kenton (Canadian) misused his brakes on landing at 20:12. He misjudged the runway condition completely and the aircraft overturned. The damage was too great to be repaired on site and had to be taken back to a repair facility.
01/08/1942HalifaxR9379103sqn CFElsham WoldsAirborne from Elsham Wolds for a general training flight including a climb to high altitude. On return, whilst downwind and turning to the left, the port outer engine failed and the aircraft stalled & spun in from 400 feet 440 yards from the airfield. Sgt W.J. Bagley killed, Sgt S. Lightowler killed, Sgt J.A. Henson killed, Sgt A.E. Finney killed, Sgt J. Munro killed, Sgt J.W. Keane (New Zealander) killed, Sgt O.D. Hancock killed, P/O A. Simons killed, Sgt T.L. McDonald killed, Sgt L.J. Langan killed, Sgt T.W. Dinsdale killed, Sgt C.H. Morgan killed.
01/08/1942OxfordW665512(P)AFUHarlaxtonThis aircraft was damaged in a heavy landing. The pilot held off too high on approach, the aircraft swung on landing, and one wheel detached. The port undercarriage collapsed, casuing the aircraft to swing off the runway. Pilot P/O Taylor was uninjured.
01/08/1942HavocAH4841459fltHibaldstowThis aircraft was badly damaged when it struck barbed wire entanglements short of the runway after the pilot undershot on landing after the windscreen misted up. Pilot Sgt Lampkin was unhurt, Sgt White received minor cuts to the head.
01/08/1942SpitfireP8090CGSSutton BridgeThis aircraft was damaged when it crashed during landing. After touching down with a flat tyre, that wheel was torn off, and the aircraft bounced into rough ground, damaging the underside. Pilot F/O Forest was unhurt.
02/08/1942WhitleyZ64491481FltBinbrookThis aircraft was damaged after it overshot on landing after an air test at 1130hrs. Pilots Sgt A E Harrison & F/Lt W G C Edmonds braked hard causing the aircraft to swing to port which collapsed the starboard undercarriage. When the aircraft came to rest, the port undercarriage leg also collapsed.
03/08/1942LancasterL754544sqnWaddingtonThis aircraft was damaged whilst taxying after landing from a night-flying test at 2010hrs. On clearing the runway after landing, the pilot failed to see the workings for the airfield's new perimeter track and taxied into them. The starboard wheel struck the side of a ditch and the undercarriage collapsed. Pilot P/O SR Young and his crew were unhurt.
04/08/1942HurricaneBD728486sqn2 miles east of Scampton (Grange-de-Lings?)This aircraft was destroyed when it crashed after it was abandoned from 41000 feet at 0320hrs when fumes filled the cockpit. Pilot P/O Dall was unhurt.
05/08/1942OxfordV4167RAFCBarkstonThis aircraft was damaged after it bounced on foreign objects on the runway, causing the undercarriage to collapse. The runway had not been swept. Pilot Cpl Bailey was unhurt .
05/08/1942OxfordX6936RAFCBarkstonThis aircraft was damaged whilst stationary when the pilot inadvertently retracted the undercarriage after his parachute harness snagged the lever. Pilot Lt Geldart was unhurt.
05/08/1942WellingtonX967526OTUBurton CogglesAirborne at 2045hrs from Wing for a night navigation exercise. During the flight the starboard engine conrod broke, damaging the cylinders and causing the engine to catch fire. The aircraft was aircraft abandoned at 2330hrs and crashed, destroying the airframe. P/O GF Pentony and one of his crew were injured, Sgt G.R. Phipps (Canadian) was killed.
05/08/1942MasterT8675RAFCCranwellThis aircraft was reported as damaged when it crashed on takeoff on this date. No accident record card or further details seen.
05/08/1942P-38 Lightning41-34412 71FS/1FGGoxhillDamaged in a landing accident, aircraft severely damaged (cat4) pilot John D. Elland jr.
06/08/1942ManchesterL7385207sqnBottesfordThis aircraft was destroyed whilst landing from a training flight at 0500hrs when it struck lancaster R5550 which had taxied onto the runway without permission. The manchester came to rest on top of the Lancaster, both aircraft catching fire and burning out. Pilot Sgt AS Pearson injured, Sgt J Forbes killed, Sgt CSK Shepherd killed, Sgt J Slater injured, Sgt AJC Whitehead killed.
06/08/1942LancasterR5550207sqnBottesfordThis aircraft was destroyed at 0500hrs when it was struck by landing Manchester L7385 after taxying onto the runway without permission. Both aircraft caught fire and burned out. Pilot Sgt FS Akerman killed, Sgt HE Carson killed, F/Sgt J Brooks killed, Sgt AFG Smart injured, F/Sgt FR Ikin injured.
06/08/1942LancasterL757644sqnWaddingtonThis aircraft was damaged at 0145hrs whilst landing during night-time circuits and landings practice. The tailwheel collapsed during a normal landing run due to the outer sleeve of the oleo fracturing due to damage caused by previous ehavy landings. Pilot Sgt J Beattie and his crew were unhurt.
07/08/1942OxfordV3446RAFCCranwellThis aircraft incurred damage to the belly and propellors when it landed heavily after the pilot lost control on approach. Pilot 2/Lt E Alpkaya was unhurt.
07/08/1942HalifaxW1224103 SqnElsham WoldsThis aircraft was slightly damaged by fire at 1800hrs whilst taxying back to dispersal after a training flight. The Flight Engineer started to remove the Verey pistol from its socket to unload the flares when he caught the trigger mechanism and the flare set fire to the inside of the aircraft. Pilot Sgt E.L.Davies (Australian) and his crew were unhurt.
07/08/1942HalifaxW1225103 Sqnin the HumberThis aircraft was lost on return from operations to Duisburg when it crashed into the River Humber . Pilot P/O JN Gilby killed, Sgt CJ Lee killed, P/O EA Cassidy killed, Sgt WM Crane killed, F/Sgt I Rutherford killed, Sgt RF Tidmarsh killed, Sgt J Beaupre (Canadian) killed. The bodies of all of the crew apart from Sgt Tidmarsh were recovered from the water.
07/08/1942SpitfireAA935303sqnKirton in LindseyP/O M Idrjan (Polish) at 11:00 taxied out to join the rest of his flight and hit a tractor, he failed to taxi via the correct route and continued straight over an unserviceable part of the airfield.
07/08/1942DefiantL69781AASManbyThis aircraft was damaged at 1630hrs when engine failure just after take-off caused the aircraft to sink back onto the airfield hard. Pilot F/Sgt JF Reilly (Canadian) and his unnamed gunner were unhurt.
07/08/1942BlenheimT19591AASManbyThis aircraft was damaged in a belly-landing on the airfield at 1030hrs. The pilot had chosen to land wheels-up after the starboard tyre had burst on take-off. Pilot Sgt CJ Keirl and his crew were unhurt.
07/08/1942LancasterR550844sqnWaddingtonThis aircraft was damaged at 0100hrs whilst taxying out for an operational sortie. The pilot mistook the preimeter lights for the taxying lights and the aircraft struck an unlit bomb-fusing shed. Pilots W/Cdr KP Smales, P/O HJ Barley and crew were unhurt.
08/08/1942BeaufighterX8191409sqnColeby GrangeThis aircraft was damaged on landing from operations at 0230hrs when the aircraft struck the ground hard due to the pilot failing to level out before touching down. He had been watching the green lights of the glide path indicator too closely and descended too steeply on the final section of the approach. Pilot Sgt MA Naylor (Canadian) and his unnamed navigator were unhurt.
08/08/1942HudsonAM64959sqnDonna NookThis aircraft was damaged at 0200hrs whilst taxying back to dispersal after a training flight. The pilot taxied the wrong side of an obstruction marker light and the aircraft struck an earth bank on the airfield. The pilot was having to taxy without use of his landing lights due to enemy aircraft operating in the area. Pilot P/O CW Brodigan and crew were unhurt.
08/08/1942Do217E-4U5+DR7/KG2Shire Wood, RevesbyThis aircraft was shot down by P/O PH Cleaver/F/Sgt Nairn in a 68sqn Beaufighter. It crashed and exploded on impact at 0115hrs. The wreckage was strewn over an area of 4 acres. Oberlt Graf R Thun-Hohenstein (Staffelkapitan), Uffz H Arnscheid (injured), Fw H Kunze (injured), Uffz P Bremer all baled out and were taken prisoner.
09/08/1942P-38 Lightning41-763594FS/1FGKirton LindseyDamaged in a landing accident, aircraft severely damaged (cat 4) pilot Jack C. Kille
09/08/1942BlenheimV54497AASManbyThis aircraft was damaged at 1045hrs when it belly-landed on the airfield due to damage inflicted on the undercarriage on take-off. The pilot had retracted the undercarriage before the aircraft was fully airborne and the starboard leg struck the ground causing damage that prevented it from locking in the down position. Pilot Sgt C Jamieson and crew were unhurt.
09/08/1942ManchesterL74849sqnWaddingtonThis aircraft was damaged in flight at 1600hrs when an oil tank burst, damaging the wing skin. The accident was discovered to have been caused by a blanking plug not having been removed during engine installation.. Pilot S/Ldr TC Murray and his crew were unhurt.
10/08/1942OxfordV362912(P)AFU1 mile west of GranthamThis aircraft was destroyed at approximately 0030hrs when it crashed 68 mins after take off. At 1,000 to 1,500ft the tail broke off, and the aircraft dived into the ground at Mears Farm. Pilot P/O WTS Perryman was killed. His body was not recovered until later in the day.
10/08/1942WellingtonR118318OTUBlytonThis aircraft was damaged whilst landing on a training circuits and landings sortie at 0300hrs. The aircraft ran off the runway into a patch of soft ground and tipped onto its nose. Pilots P/O S Boczkowski (Polish), Sgt J Furmaniak (Polish) and their crew were uninjured.
10/08/1942ManchesterL74311654HCUConingsbyWhilst landing at night, the starboard undercarriage leg collapsed due to drifting on a heavy landing at 2130hrs. Instructor F/Sgt Adams, pupil Sgt AG Cook and their crew were unhurt. The aircraft was repaired on site on 15/Aug/42 and returned to service with 1654HCU.
10/08/1942WhitleyT42913OTUCranwellThis aircraft was parked in an unlit dispersal and was struck by Whitley Z6834 as it taxied in.
10/08/1942WhitleyZ68343OTUCranwellWhilst taxying back in after a training sortie, this aircraft struck a parked Whitley T4291 which had been left unmarked on an unlit dispersal. Pilot F/Sgt J N Roonce did not see the parked aircraft.
10/08/1942WellingtonZ1387300sqnInghamThis aircraft was damaged on take-off for operations at 0027hrs when it began its take-off run at an angle to the flarepath and struck the airfield Chance light whilst attempting to stop to abort the take-off. Pilot F/O Waskiewicz and his crew were unhurt.
10/08/1942WellingtonP150522OTUnr CranwellAirborne from Wellesbourne Mountford for a night cross-country sortie. The aircraft lost its starboard propeller around 0500hrs whilst in flight. The pilot headed for Waddington but the crew was unable to make contact by radio or see the flarepath. At this point, just north-east of Cranwell airfield, the port engine began to fail. Pilot F/Sgt JP Jolley (Canadian) and all bar 1 of the crew bailed out successfully. F/Sgt S. Toronczuk (Canadian) was killed.
10/08/1942ManchesterL738283sqnScamptonThis aircraft was damaged at 1705hrs when the aircraft bounced heavily on landing after touching down on a rough patch of airfield surface, damaging the tailwheel. Pilot F/O Lonsdale and his crew were unhurt.
11/08/1942HampdenAE15514OTUEdenhamCoded GL-S Airborne from Saltby for night low-level bombing training. The aircraft crashed 0330 whilst working the Grimsthorpe range. F/Sgt R.P. Davies (Canadian) killed, F/Sgt J.H. O'Connor (Canadian) killed, Sgt D.H. Barton (Australian) killed.
11/08/1942SpitfireAR318303sqnHibaldstowAt 22:35 whilst retuning from a training sortie, Sgt Rokitnicki undershot and hit a rise in the ground causing the undercarriage to collapse. A team of repairers would be needed to go to the site to fix the aircraft.
12/08/1942WellingtonN2959CGSField nr Sutton BridgeThis aircraft was damaged when it force-landed in a beet field from an air-firing sortie after the port engine failed at 1000 feet due to multiple bidstrikes on the inlet manifold. Pilot Sgt Parkes unhurt, Sgt Vanlingen (Dutch) unhurt, Cpl P Leentes (Dutch) injured, P/O Hill unhurt.
12/08/1942HurricaneBN227253sqnoff the coastThis aircraft was seen to crash into the sea during a nighttime Havoc co-operation sortie. Pilot F/Sgt TB Pepper (New Zealander) was killed.
12/08/1942LancasterR573244sqnWaddingtonCoded KM-G. Airborne from Waddington at 2255hrs 11/Aug/42 for Mainz. The aircraft returned to base early with failing engines and was wrecked when it crashed at 0112hrs whilst on finals to land. The pilot reported he was unable to prevent the Lancaster from drifting left of the flare path and though he opened the throttles to overshoot, the Lancaster failed to respond and crashed. No injuries. F/Sgt H.H.Taylor Sgt W.Harberenke (P2) F/Sgt L.Edwards Sgt L.Edwards Sgt J.H Bellewe Sgt R.E.W.Williamson Sgt C.A.Foster Sgt A.E.Williams.
13/08/1942WellingtonBJ588150sqn4 miles west of Scotter (Owston Ferry?)Coded JN-? Airborne 2205 12Aug42 from Snaith for Mainz. Returned early, cause unknown, and crashed while making an emergency landing some 4 miles W of Scotter, 5 miles S of Scunthorpe. Sgt D.J.H.Beaton killed, P/O F.Mcreavy injured, F/Sgt N.R.Rowe (New Zealander) killed, Sgt J.Taylor killed, Sgt J.Pike injured.
13/08/1942LancasterL753450sqnSwinderbyCoded VN-Z. This aircraft was wrecked at 2150hrs when the pilot landed heavily during conversion training, causing the undercarriage to collapse. Pilots Sgt PH Blaskey, F/Sgt Campbell and their crew were unhurt.
14/08/1942OxfordV421415(P)AFU1 mile SE of Great LimberThis aircraft was wrecked when the pilot lost sight of the Kirmington flarepath, crashed & overturned on the Gt Limber Q site. Pilots Sgt Atkinson and Sgt Eggleston were unhurt.
14/08/1942HurricaneZ3261253sqn5 miles SE TetneyWhilst airborne on practice interception sortie at 1530hrs, this aircraft made a steep climbing turn at 3000 feet and entered a spin. Recovery was made at 1000 feet, but a spin in the opposite direction immediately followed and the aircraft crashed into the ground. Pilot P/O LHR McCarthy (New Zealander) was killed in the crash.
14/08/1942BeaufighterX8146409sqnColeby GrangeThis aircraft was wrecked when it crashed after undershooting the airfield on return from an air firing exercise at 1735hrs. The engines failed to pick up again after being throttled back while the flaps and undercarriage were lowered. Pilot Sgt DD Grant (Canadian) and his unnamed navigator were both injured.
14/08/1942SpitfireAR330304sqnHibaldstowThis aircraft was damaged on take-off when the pilot overcorrected for a gust of wind and the aircraft overturned. No pilot details recorded.
14/08/1942DefiantN3380288sqnManbyThis aircraft was slightly damaged in a taxying incident on this date - the undercarriage sank into soft ground. No further details recorded.
15/08/1942WhitleyBD2063OTUCranwellAt 0115hrs on return from a single-pilot navigation exercise lasting 4.5 hours, this aircraft was severely damaged when the pilot Sgt J Needham undershot the airfield on approach and struck the ground 200 feet short of the first approach flare, forcing both undercarriage legs up through the wings.
15/08/1942OxfordR638215(P)AFUKirmingtonThis aircraft was damaged when the port tyre burst in a heavy landing after the pilot held off to high and stalled the aircraft onto the runway. Pilot Sgt Butler was unhurt.
16/08/1942LancasterR548944sqnBranstonCoded KM-X. Airborne from Waddington on a daylight cross-country sortie. On return to Waddington after a 4 hour sortie, the pilot reported a fire in the starboard inner engine and requested the flight engineer (Fletcher) to feather it and to press the fire extinguisher button for that engine. Unfortunately, the flight engineer feathered the starboard outer engine and with the aircraft configured for landing, the loss of power caused it to stall and yaw. The aircraft crashed onto pigsties in the village. All crew bar the flight engineer and bomb aimer were rescued alive by the farmer, Dick Taylor, and Fred Kirk, a local butcher. This incident is recorded on a brass plaque indide the Home Guard club in Branston, and was the subject of an article in the Branston parish newsletter for summer 2010. Sgt R.Easom injured, Sgt J.Fletcher killed, Sgt D.Pullinger (New Zealander) killed.
16/08/1942HampdenP11611AASoff MablethorpeThis aircraft was lost when it crashed into the sea after engine failure in flight whilst on a practice bombing sortie 3 miles north of Mablethorpe. Pilot Sgt JA Dent killed,Sgt AJ Russell killed, Sgt WA Glover killed, passenger ATC cadet EA Barber killed.
17/08/1942OxfordV3235RAFCHarlaxtonThis aircraft was destroyed when it struck a tree and crashed into the ground on the airfield after approaching on the wrong path. Pilot 2/Lt MR Nalbantoglu (Turkish) killed.
17/08/1942HampdenL41411AASManbyThis aircraft was damaged at 1020hrs whilst taxying back to dispersal after landing from a bombing exercise. The pilot had experienced difficulty in lowering the undercarriage on approach, and whilst taxying the tailwheel collapsed in such a fashion as to release the mechanical locks on the main gear, which also collapsed. Pilot Sgt JT Grooyer and crew were unhurt.
17/08/1942BlenheimT18021AASManbyThis aircraft was damaged at 1105hrs when one engine backfired and caught fire whilst being started on the ground. Pilot Sgt JB Cooney and his crew were unhurt.
18/08/1942WellingtonR12773OTUCranwellThis aircraft was damaged on return from an air firing sortie when it made a heavy landing, breaking both undercarriage legs and sliding across the airfield. Pilots Sgt Young, Sgt Dry unhurt.
18/08/1942OxfordBG20314(P)AFUDunholme LodgeSgt A B Sullivan landed his Oxford at 11:30 after an instrumentation flying exercise and upon landing the undercarriage collapsed. Visual warnings all showed ok with the landing gear and the warning horn did not blow. However they were not locked in position.
18/08/1942TyphoonR764456 SqnMoulton Nr SpaldingSgt J S Jones (New Zealander) was killed when his Typhoon broke up in mid air over Lincolnshire at 12:45. The aircraft failed structurally in a dive and never recovered. A large section of the wing was found 500 ft away from the rest of the debris.
18/08/1942LancasterW413150sqnSwinderbyThis aircraft was damaged at 1715hrs when the undercarriage collapsed on landing from a training flight. The pilot had retracted the wheels too soon on take-off and damaged the undercarriage at that point. Pilot Sgt PH Blaskey and his crew were uninjured.
19/08/1942OxfordV4452RAFCBarkstonThis aircraft was damaged when the undercarriage collapsed in a heavy landing. The pilot had held off too high on approach as forward visibility was reduced due to the windscreen fogging up. Pilot P/O Gillham was unhurt.
19/08/1942LiberatorFK22159sqnBinbrookThis aircraft was damaged when the brakes failed to prevent the aircraft overshooting the landing area. The aircraft skidded on the wet grass airfield surface and struck a pile of chalk, causing the port undercarriage to collapse. Pilots F/O GBR Pearl, F/Sgt Willerton and their crew were uninjured.
19/08/1942P-38 Lightning41-761771FS/1FGGoxhillTook off from Goxhill on a formation training flight. Shortly after takeoff the pilot, 2nd Lt Robert R McCord had problems with the starboard propellor controls and also the undercarriage leg on the same nacelle. He returned to Goxhill and made an emergency landing with the starboard undercarriage main leg retracted. No injuries in this accident although the aircraft was severely (cat 4) damaged and salvaged on the same date.
20/08/1942OxfordAB66612(P)AFUBoothby PagnallThis aircraft was damaged in a mid-air collision with Oxford AB718. The nose of AB718 struck the port side of AB666, causing some damage, though the aircraft was able to make a safe forced landing in a field near Grantham airfield. Pilot P/O Holdstock was uninjured.
20/08/1942OxfordAB71812(P)AFUBoothby PagnallThis aircraft was destroyed as a result of a mid-air collision with Oxford AB666. The tail was torn off in the collision and the aircraft dived into the ground. Pilots Sgt WH Frank and Sgt P Allen were both killed, along with passenger ATC Cadet L Ingram of the Tamworth squadron.
20/08/1942OxfordAB75912(P)AFUHarlaxtonThis aircraft was damaged in a heavy landing. The port wheel hit soft ground, and the aircraft cartwheeled. The pilot was unhurt.
20/08/1942OxfordR631715(P)AFUKirmingtonThis aircraft was damaged when it caught fire after swinging off the runway whilst landing and hitting a pile of earth. Pilot Sgt Selby was unhurt.
21/08/1942LancasterL7580207sqnBottesfordThis aircraft suffered structural damaged when the pilot made a heavy landing with a bomb-load on board during a training flight at 0125hrs. Pilot Sgt G Langdon and his crew were unhurt.
21/08/1942OxfordV145212(P)AFUHarlaxtonThis aircraft was damaged in a heavy landing after both engines failed on approach. Pilots Sgt Brown and Sgt Brooks were unhurt.
22/08/1942OxfordAP463RAFCBarkstonThis aircraft incurred damage to the underside, engines and propellors when the pilot landed wheels-up on the airfield after confusion over the pre-landing vital actions. Pilot F/Lt Welch was unhurt.
22/08/1942HavocAH4701459fltHibaldstowThis aircraft was damaged when it ran off the runway after the nosewheel collapsed on landing. Pilot Sgt Lowndes and wireless operator Sgt Letchford were unhurt.
22/08/1942Tiger MothT77561459fltHibaldstowThis aircraft was damaged when it struck a fence and overturned after failing to become fully airborne after take-off. Pilot P/O JA Gunn was slightly injured, his passenger P/O Anderson was unhurt.
22/08/1942MasterDL864RAFCWellingoreThis aircraft was damaged when it bounced on landing and stalled onto the runway on this date. No further details recorded.
23/08/1942HalifaxW1213103 SqnElsham WoldsThis aircraft was damaged when the tailwheel collapsed during a heavy landing after the pilot flew the aircraft at the runway instead of allowing it to settle gently. Pilot W/O R.L.Telper and crew were unhurt.
23/08/1942Do217E-4F8+CN5/KG40Gedney HillThis aircraft was shot down by F/Lt HH Sweetman (486sqn) & F/Lt McMillan/Sgt Shepherd (409sqn). It crashed in a field at Fleet Fen at 2355hrs and exploded. Oberlt H Viess, Fw K Gramm, Fw H Frischolz and Oberfw J Ulrich all baled out and were taken prisoner.
23/08/1942ManchesterR739897sqnWoodhall SpaThis aircraft was damaged at 1400hrs when it overshot the runway on return from an air firing sortie. The pilot failed to loosen the friction nuts on the throttle levers, causing them to fail to fully close. The aircraft ran across two ditches and came to rest in a field 50 yards outside the airfield boundary with the starboard undercarriage leg collapsed. Pilot F/Sgt GA West and his crew were unhurt.
24/08/1942OxfordX7913RAFCBarkstonThis aircraft was damaged when the undercarriage collapsed after the aircraft bounced following landing on soft ground on the airfield. Pilot F/O Wright was unhurt.
24/08/1942LancasterR589597sqnConingsbyThis aircraft was damaged at 1720hrs on landing from a solo training flight. The aircraft landed on only the starboard wheel as the port tyre burst on take-off. Pilot F/Sgt JE Bunt (Canadian) and his crew were unhurt.
24/08/1942WellingtonDV9253OTUCranwellThis aircraft was slightly damaged in a landing incident at 2150hrs. The aircraft swung slightly on landing and ran over flares marking the flarepath. In doing so, the port wheel ran over and killed an unnamed airman who was working at the side of the flarepath at the time as flying control had not ordered him to move away whilst the aircraft landed. Instructor F/Lt PA Loweth, pupil Sgt FG Crocker and their crew were unhurt.
24/08/1942Tiger MothT71154EFTSCrowleThis aircraft was damaged when it hit the ground whilst low-flying. Pilots Sgt GK Senior and Sgt AV Potter were unhurt.
25/08/1942MasterDL337RAFCWellingoreThis aircraft was damaged whilst parked when it was struck by Master DL188.
26/08/1942OxfordX6934RAFCBarkstonThis aircraft was damaged when it was blown off the runway by the slipstream of the aircraft ahead after stalling whilst landing. Pilots F/O Johnson and Cpl Bramston were unhurt.
26/08/1942HalifaxW1212103 SqnElsham WoldsWhilst practising 3-engined landings, this aircraft was damaged at 1735hrs when it bounced on touchdown. On opening the 3 good throttles up (the 4th engine was shut down for the exercise) the aircraft swung and struck a hedge, straining and fracturing the undercarriage. Pilot F/Lt JR Smith and crew were unhurt.
26/08/1942OxfordDF3371518 BAT FltScamptonDuring take off at 13:30 for a Beam Approach Instruction flight P/O C S Porteous & Sgt Dunhill's Oxford swung, the pilot was not able to control the swing and collided with a tent on the perimeter track. Damage to the aircraft was significant and had to be dismantled and returned to a repair facility.
27/08/1942SpitfireAD292RAF Digby Station FlightDigbySgt G F Brown had a burst tyre on landing at 19:40.
27/08/1942MasterN9016RAFCnr DigbyThis aircraft was destroyed when it spun in and crashed 2 miles northwest of Digby. Pilot P/O MR Piper was killed
27/08/1942HurricaneBN232253sqnoff MablethorpeThis aircraft crashed into the sea 0.5 miles off Mablethorpe at 1630hrs whilst engaged in an air firing practice sortie. The crash was reported by a local ROC post, and wreckage was found later. Pilot Sgt RC Santley was killed, but his body was not recovered. He is listed on the Runnymede memorial.
28/08/1942WellingtonDV86618OTUBlytonThis aircraft was damaged on landing from a training flight. The aircraft overshot the runway and the pilot swung the aircraft into a patch of soft ground, presumably damaging the undercarriage. Pilot Sgt Kwiatkowki (Polish) and crew were unhurt.
28/08/1942LancasterR566444sqnnr WaddingtonCoded KM-R, Airborne at 2117hrs 27/Aug/42 from Waddington for Kassel. The aircraft lost the use of the port outer engine over Munster, and on return to base at 0228hrs, the Lancaster overshot the runway and was wrecked when it crashed into a field a mile north-east of the airfield. No injuries reported. Sgt W.V.Rickards, Sgt J.W.Hargreaves, Sgt G.H.Roberts, Sgt C.Thurley, Sgt A.C.Stockley, P/O I.M.Wood, Sgt W.S.Gregory.
29/08/1942MasterDK825RAFCCranwellThis aircraft was damaged when it struck Oxford N4794 whilst landing on this date. No further details recorded.
29/08/1942OxfordN4794RAFCCranwellThis aircraft was damaged on this date when it was struck by Master DK825. No further details recorded.
29/08/1942WhitleyP50493OTUCranwellOn return from an instrument flying training sortie at 1255hrs, this aircraft was damaged when the pilots F/Lt F W Gilmore and P/O V D Pope failed to lower the undercarriage and landed wheels up.
29/08/1942MagisterL8226253sqnnr Kirton LindseyThis aircraft was wrecked when it force-landed in extremely bad visibility 1 mile northeast of Kirton Lindsey airfield on return from a flight to Church Fenton. Pilot G/Cpt WJ Crisham, station commander of RAF Kirton Lindsey was seriously injured and taken to hospital. His unnamed passenger was unhurt.
29/08/1942LancasterR589249sqnScamptonThis aircraft was damaged on landing from a night-flying test at 1245hrs. The aircraft overshot the runway, the pilot chose not to go around again but swung the aircraft and the undercarriage collapsed. The accident record card contains a rather scathing assessment of the cause of the accident from the Squadron CO. Pilots P/O GS Jeffreys, Sgt W Gregory-Coleman (Australian) and their crew were unhurt.
29/08/1942WellingtonX322111OTUSwinderbyThis aircraft was damaged at 1600hrs on return from a training cross-country flight. The starboard engine cut out in flight and the pilot landed downwind, overshooting the runway. As the brakes were ineffective, the pilot retracted the undercarriage on reaching the end of the runway to prevent the aircraft running through the airfield boundary. Pilot Sgt KWM Brown and his crew were unhurt.
31/08/1942OxfordT60346 FPPBlytonThis aircraft was wrecked when it made a forced landing with wheels down. The aircraft was on fire, caused by faulty switch shorting out, and subsequently burnt out. Pilot ATA 2nd Officer Palmer was unhurt.
31/08/1942HampdenP120514OTUGrimsthorpeCoded -D1, airborne from Cottesmore for a low-level bombing sortie. Crashed on the Grimsthorpe bombing range 1545 after being unable to recover from stabilised yaw at low altitude. P/O D.F. Foy (Canadian) was badly burned in the crash, and died from his injuries the next day.

September

DateTypeSerialUnitLocationNotes
01/09/1942HalifaxBB216405sqnChapel st LeonardsCoded LQ-D, Airborne 2303 1Sep42 from Topcliffe for Saarbrucken. While crossing the E coast at 2344, the port engine caught fire and althouth the blaze was quelled, structural failure of the port wing followed and the order to bale out was given. At least two of the crew fell into the sea and were drowned, and the Halifax crashed at Chapel St.Leonards, 5 miles NNW of Skegness, Lincolnshire. Sgt N.A.MacKenzie (Canadian) killed, Sgt J.R.Alexander injured, P/O L.B.Mason injured, Sgt Kaucharik injured, Sgt C.G.Eagles (Canadian) killed, Sgt H.Stone killed, F/Sgt L.D.Dawdy (Canadian) killed.
01/09/1942HalifaxW1187103 SqnElsham WoldsThis aircraft took off for operations against Saarbrucken but was forced to jettison its bombs and return to the airfield after the undercarriage failed to retract properly. Sgt JG Crockett, the rear gunner, baled out whilst the rest of the crew stayed in the aircraft whilst it belly-landed as it had become more stable with the bombs gone. Pilot Sgt EL Davies and the remainder of the crew were unhurt.
01/09/1942OxfordV358412(P)AFUHarlaxtonThis aircraft was damaged when it struck an air raid shelter on the airfield Pilot P/O Parker was unhurt.
01/09/1942WellingtonP92281AASManbyThis aircraft was damaged on landing from a cine-gun exercise at 1620hrs. After landing normally, the tailwheel was damaged when the aircraft crossed a newly-constructed runway on the airfield. Pilot Sgt B Cottrell and crew were unhurt.
02/09/1942HalifaxDT495103 SqnElsham WoldsThis aircraft was damaged when it belly-landed on the airfield on return from operations after experiencing undercarriage problems on take-off. The pilot jettisoned the bombload over the sea and ordered the crew to bale out. One complied and landed safely, the remainder stayed in the aircraft for the forced landing. Pilot Sgt E.L. Davies and crew were unhurt.
02/09/1942LancasterW414049sqnHarlaxtonThis aircraft was damaged whilst landing in poor weather and low cloudbase at 0145hrs. The aircraft swung on landing and struck a small pillbox on the airfield, tearing the port undercarriage off. Pilot Sgt WC Townsend and crew were unhurt.
02/09/1942BlenheimB3695143sqnNorth CoatesThis aircraft was damaged at 2015hrs when it belly-landed on the airfield after the pilot retracted the undercarriage prematurely on take-off, causing the aircraft to sink back onto the runway. Pilot F/O Moody and crew were unhurt.
02/09/1942JU88A-43Z+OH1/KG77Spilman's Farm, AylesbyThis aircraft was shot down by Humber AA guns (batteries 2,4 & 8, near Hull) from 9600 feet, and belly-landed in a field at 2315hrs. Fw J Ackermann, Obergefr R Weingand, Uffz H Wandt, Uffz R Eysoldt all surrendered to Mervyn Lockwood, local Home Guard and were taken prisoner.
02/09/1942ManchesterL7526207sqnWoodhall SpaThis aircraft was damaged at 1515hrs when the tailwheel collapsed at the end of a normal landing run, probably as a result of damage caused in previous heavy landings. Pilot Sgt JC Dangerfield (Australian) and his crew were unhurt.
03/09/1942OxfordAS87112(P)AFU500 yards from Grantham This aircraft was wrecked at 0850hrs when it crashed 500 yards from the airfield. One engine had failed at 100 feet after take-off and the aircraft made a wheels-up forced landing, damaging the roofs of several houses as it passed, and striking a pub as it stopped. All 4 on board were slightly injured: Sgt Letts, Sgt Verrall (New Zealander), Sgt Jones (New Zealander and Sgt Gardiner (New Zealander).
03/09/1942AnsonW17302OTUBlytonThis aircraft was damaged when it swung on landing, causing the undercarriage to collapse. The pilot had landed on the runway marked as being in use, though this was subject to a 90-degree crosswind at the time and the pilot was unable to hold the aircraft on the runway. Pilot F/O B Perkins was unhurt.
03/09/1942OxfordW6566RAFCCranwellThis aircraft was damaged when it struck the ground whilst undershooting the runway. The pilot believed he was short on fuel due to a faulty gauge and was making an emergency landing. Pilots Sgt Master and F/Lt Swaine were unhurt.
04/09/1942BlenheimZ5754143sqnDonna NookThis aircraft was damaged at 2100hrs whilst taxying when it struck barbed wire on the airfield perimeter. The pilot had kept well clear of the landing area due to other aircraft landing at the time. Pilot P/O CL Moody and his crew were unhurt.
04/09/1942OxfordV366412(P)AFUGranthamThis aircraft sustained damage ti the tailwheel and rear fuselage whilst taxying. Pilot P/O Swaine was unhurt.
04/09/1942OxfordBG65715(P)AFUKirmingtonThis aircraft was wrecked when it crashed into a field after the pilot lost control due to the aircraft stalling on approach. Pilots P/O Widdicombe and F/O Mottershead were unhurt.
04/09/1942SpitfireBL594305sqnKirton in LindseyTaking off at 18:10 P/O S Podobinski (Polish) landed with the undercarriage retracted. The aircraft had been damaged on take off, it had bounced during a formation take off and the starboard undercarriage leg had fallen off.
04/09/1942GladiatorK7927RAF Ternhill SFManbyThis aircraft was damaged at 1740hrs whilst taxying. Dazzled by the sun shining straight into his eyes, the pilot failed to notice a starter battery left parked and struck it with the aircraft. Pilot S/Ldr Piotrowicz (Polish) was unhurt.
04/09/1942LancasterW411649sqnScamptonThis aircraft was involved in an incident at 1545hrs whilst the port outer engine was being run up prior to a night-flying test. A member of the groundcrew was checking the engine for signs of a coolant leak when he stumbled into the arc of the moving propellor. AC F Cooper was injured in the incident, the aircraft was undamaged.
05/09/1942SpitfireAB847411sqnDigbyThis aircraft was damaged on landing when the undercarriage collapsed after the pilot stalled the aircraft onto the runway as a result of the starboard flap failing to operate. Pilot Sgt Bray was unhurt.
05/09/1942ManchesterL75211654CUWaddingtonThis aircraft was wrecked on training sortie. The starboard propellor jammed in the feathered position. The aircraft banked steeply, stalled & crashed on approach to land at Waddington after the approach was baulked by an Oxford cutting in front of them. The aircraft came down just short of the runway at 1215hrs. Pilot S/Ldr Carter and crew escaped uninjured.
06/09/1942SpitfireT65692FS/52FGHibaldstowWeather-related taxying accident on a non-operational sortie, aircraft suffered cat3 damage, pilot William L Shriver.
06/09/1942SpitfireBM46181sqnWellingoreOn a navigational training flight Sgt R E Nutley returned to base at 18:10, he had a heavy landing in a crosswind and the undercarriage collapsed.
07/09/1942OxfordR603815(P)AFUCaistorThis aircraft was damaged when it belly-landed on the airfield after the pilot forgot to check that the undercarriage was lowered. Pilot Sgt Bergus was unhurt.
07/09/1942WellingtonP92351AASManbyThis aircraft was destroyed when it crashed and caught fire at 1600hrs whilst on a solo flying sortie. The aircraft took off with full flaps deployed and crashed into ground 300 feet higher than the level of the airfield some two miles away, possibly whilst trying to make a belly-landing. Pilot F/Sgt LMA Green was killed.
08/09/1942HalifaxBB219103 SqnElsham WoldsThis aircraft was damaged on landing from a training flight at 1730hrs. The pilot was distracted by another aircraft cutting in front of him to land and forgot to lower the undercarriage, damaging the aircraft in the belly-landing that followed. Pilot Sgt WL McGown and his crew were unhurt.
08/09/1942SpitfireAR371303sqnHibaldstowPilot F/O B Drobinski (Polish) landed at 20:10 with the undercarriage retracted. He became occupied with endeavoring to open the cockpit and forgot to lower his gear. The aircraft needed to be returned to the factory or a repair facility to be returned to air worthy status.
09/09/1942HurricaneL19731AASGlebe Farm, SalebyAirborne on a cine-gun exercise, this aircraft was damaged in a forced landing when the engine failed in flight due to fuel starvation. The pilot, P/O H K Jones (Canadian) had forgotten to switch his fuel feed to the reserve tank before the main tanks ran dry.
09/09/1942OxfordAB76612(P)AFUGranthamThis aircraft was damaged when the tailwheel broke off after the aircraft bounced in a pothole on the landing area. The pilot was unhurt.
09/09/1942OxfordBG27015(P)AFUnr KirmingtonThis aircraft was wrecked when it crashed into high ground 1 mile south-southeast of the airfield after failing to climb sufficiently after take-off. Pilot Sgt CG Jones (New Zealander) killed. Sgt MR Mitchell suffered severe burns and a broken left leg and was transferred to the RAF Hospital at Rauceby where he died an hour after arrival.
10/09/1942WhitleyBD27924OTU1 mile SW HemswellAirborne 2010 from Honeybourne for a night navigation exercise. During the flight the starboard engine caught fire and the crew baled out as they were unable to see the Hemswell flarepath after being guided to the airfield in response to an SOS. The aircraft crashed 1 mile south west of the airfield and was destroyed. 2 of Sgt D V Childers' crew were injured whilst abandoning the aircraft.
10/09/1942LancasterR585961sqnConingsbyThis aircraft was damaged on take-off at 1900hrs when the aircraft struck the inner marker beacon on the airfield, damaging the starboard outer engine. The pilot flew out to sea to jettison his bombload and made a safe landing on 3 engines at 2120hrs. Pilot Sgt WG Baker (New Zealander) and his crew were unhurt.
10/09/1942DefiantN3365288sqnDigbyThis aircraft was damaged whilst taxying back to dispersal following an air test flight. The starboard undercarriage leg collapsed whilst the aircraft was moving. Pilot F/Lt Tracey was unhurt.
11/09/1942OxfordAT795RAFCCranwellThis aircraft was involved in an incident whilst stationary. The pilot was checking the flaps were workingwhen they extended and struck an airman in the head. Pilot LAC Philips was unhurt, the unnamed airman was injured.
11/09/1942WellingtonR170720OTUElsham WoldsThis aircraft was damaged on return from operations at 0157hrs when the pilot misjudged his approach to land and undershot the flarepath as he was unfamiliar with the airfield's lighting. This was the pilot's first operational sortie. Pilot Sgt C Tuma (Canadian) and crew were uninjured.
11/09/1942OxfordV415812(P)AFUHarlaxtonThis aircraft was damaged when the undercarriage collapsed in a heavy landing. Pilots Sgt Burgess and Sgt Atkin were unhurt.
12/09/1942WellingtonW537612sqnBinbrookThis aircraft was damaged whilst taxying back to dispersal at 2250hrs when it struck parked Wellington W5587. Pilot Sgt HR Feast and crew were unhurt.
12/09/1942WellingtonW558712sqnBinbrookThis aircraft was damaged whislt parked unoccupied at 2250hrs when it was struck by taxying Wellington W5376.
12/09/1942WellingtonDV9273OTUCranwellThis aircraft was damaged on take-off at 1000hrs when one tyre burst, causing the aircraft to swing and the undercarriage collapsed. Instructor P/O SG Smith, pupil Sgt CD Young and their crew were unhurt.
12/09/1942OxfordT110912(P)AFUGranthamThis aircraft was damaged when the undercarriage retracted during a heavy landing, causing the aircraft to belly land. Pilots Sgt Atkin and Sgt Jones were unhurt.
12/09/1942HurricaneAF975TFU, DeffordHemswellWhilst pilot F/O K Suszczynski (Polish) was taxting out to return to base, the tailwheel on this aircraft collapsed due to damage inflicted on a previous heavy landing.
14/09/1942HalifaxW1182103 SqnGrimsbyThis aircraft was damaged when it ran off the runway and crashed at 0320hrs after the starboard undercarriage collapsed on landing. The aircraft had returned early from operations after jettisoning its bombload after the guns in the rear turret all became unserviceable. Pilot Sgt J Porter and crew were unhurt.
15/09/1942LancasterR5631106sqnConingsbyThis aircraft was damaged at 0130hrs whilst taxying to park on dispersal at the end of a nighttime circuits and landings practice sortie. The aircraft was being marshalled to park in a tight space between two other aircraft when the pilot made a wider turn than the groundcrew expected, and one wing struck a parked aircraft. Pilot P/O DJ Curtin (Canadian) and crew were unhurt in the incident.
15/09/1942HalifaxW1217103 SqnElsham WoldsThis aircraft was damaged at 2325hrs whilst taxying out for a training sortie at night under the guidance of an airman 100 yards in front who was signalling to the pilot with a torch. The aircraft was being taken between the Watch Office and a hangar, through a gap with insufficient clearance for a Halifax when the aircraft struck a building. Pilot F/Sgt A Tilley and his crew were unhurt.
15/09/1942OxfordX707115(P)AFUKirmingtonThis aircraft was damaged when the undercarriage collapsed at the end of the landing run after the pilot selected 'wheels up' instead of 'wheels down lock'. Pilot P/O Oakley was unhurt.
15/09/1942OxfordV3212RAFCnr CranwellThis aircraft was wrecked when it crashed shortly after takeoff. The aircraft caught fire in flight and the pilot was unable to extinguish the flames. The blaze made the aircraft unsafe to attempt to land, so the pilot baled out once he had pointed it away from nearby houses, leaving the aircraft to crash. Pilot Sgt Jones was unhurt.
15/09/1942WellingtonX3796419sqnnr GrimsthorpeCoded VR-C, the aircraft crashed and caught fire 3 miles west of Grimsthorpe at 1249hrs after failing to recover from steep dive from 8000 feet during an air-test sortie. W01 J.A. Clark (Canadian) killed, F/Sgt W.H. Pickering (Canadian) killed, Sgt R.A. Kinnee (Canadian) killed, P/O J.A. Hay (Canadian) killed, F/Sgt E.M. Harney (Canadian) killed, Sgt G.W. Wilson (Canadian) (ground staff) killed, LAC W.R.A. Jahnke (Canadian) (ground staff) killed, LAC E.D. Lawley (Canadian) (ground staff, on leave when killed) killed, LAC L.O. Luten (Canadian) (ground staff, on leave when killed) killed.
15/09/1942LancasterW41829sqnWaddingtonThis aircraft was damaged when the undercarriage collapsed on landing from an operational sortie at 0019hrs. The undercarriage was discovered to have been buckled in a previous heavy landing. Pilot F/Lt Sweeney and his crew were unhurt.
16/09/1942WellingtonZ1492301sqnHemswellThis aircraft was damaged at 0038hrs on return from operations when the undercarriage collapsed as a result of a heavy landing in bad weather. Pilot Sgt A Korczak (Polish) and crew were uninjured.
16/09/1942OxfordP898215(P)AFUKirmingtonSgt F Norton had been airborne from Kirmington for 30 minutes at 12:30 in very poor conditions and bad visibility, he turned the aircraft around and headed back due to the conditions and having had the recall signal from base, he saw no other aircraft to affect his landing. He kept his eye on ACP for further signals. He proceeded with caution and landed on another Oxford (R6349). He felt the impact before he saw the aircraft. The aircraft was repairable, but, not by the onsite unit. A team of contractors had to be brought in.
16/09/1942OxfordR634915(P)AFUKirmingtonSgt J H Price was on the ground at Kirmington when another Oxford (P8982) landed on top of him. The aircraft was written off.
17/09/1942MasterDL113RAFCCranwellThis aircraft was damaged when it struck parked Master DL119. No further details recorded.
17/09/1942MasterDL119RAFCCranwellThis aircraft was damaged whilst parked when it was struck by Master DL193.
17/09/1942OxfordX6977RAFCDunholme LodgeThis aircraft was damaged in a heavy landing on soft ground after the instruments failed in flight. Pilots P/O Knight and F/Lt Konnoln were unhurt.
17/09/1942HampdenP43211AASManbyThis aircraft was damaged at 1200hrs whilst the engine was being tested by the groundcrew. A hydraulic line broke and the undercarriage collapsed. No injuries were reported.
18/09/1942WellingtonBK2737FPPBinbrookThis aircraft was damaged when it crashed on approach at 1325hrs. The port engine failed to pick up when the throttle was opened after the flaps had been lowered, causing the aircraft to swing to port and hit the ground. Pilot ATA First Officer MH Dunlavy and crew were unhurt.
18/09/1942BeaufighterX8107409sqnColeby GrangeThis aircraft was damaged when the undercarriage collapsed during a heavy landing on return from operations at 2215hrs. The pilot's view was obscured by rain and he chose not to use the airfield Chance light as he felt that it would dazzle him through the wet windscreen and make visibility worse not better. After the undercarriage had collapsed, the aircraft slid into parked Beaufighter X8260 of 409sqn, damaging it. Pilot Sgt RA Mazurek (Canadian) and his unnamed navigator were unhurt.
18/09/1942BeaufighterX8260409sqnColeby GrangeThis aircraft was damaged at 2215hrs whilst parked when it was struck by Beaufighter X8107 after a landing accident. No crew were onboard at the time.
19/09/1942BeaufighterX8106409sqnColeby GrangeThis aircraft was destroyed on landing from an operational patrol flight. One engine had developed problems in flight over the sea, and on return the aircraft came in too high, well left of the flarepath and overshot the runway, hitting a brick Post Office building head-on, and bursting into flames immediately. Pilot P/O W.D.Gibson (Canadian) was killed instantly, his observer Sgt BA Leahy (Canadian) was rescued from the flames by LAC HR Carter, LAC DA Cox and LAC Corbeill. Sgt Leahy was seriously injured and was taken to Bracebridge hospital.
19/09/1942WhitleyP50933OTUCranwellThis aircraft was damaged when the tailwheel collapsed at 1900hrs whilst taxying out for a circuits training sortie. The pilots Sgt O O Campbell (Canadian) and Sgt K G Edgington (New Zealander) were not blamed for the incident as the aircraft had been used constantly for circuits and landings on rough ground.
19/09/1942OxfordBG16912(P)AFUHarlaxtonThis aircraft struck a tree whilst overshooting. It landed on the 2nd attempt with damage to the undercarriage and wings. Pilots Sgt Douglas and Sgt Jones were unhurt.
19/09/1942HalifaxDT481460sqnLudford MagnaThis aircraft was destroyed when it crashed at 1030hrs whilst attempting to land for a second time on a training flight. Smoke was seen coming from the starboard outer engine in flight, which the engineering officer attributed to mechanical failure of the engine after a tappet lock nut failed. Sgt S.A. Solomons (Australian) killed, Sgt F.E. Bishops (Australian) killed, Sgt A.J. Betteridge killed, F/O H.S. Brander (Australian) killed, Sgt F.R. Keys (Australian) killed, F/Sgt A.R. Morant (Australian) killed, F/Sgt J.T. Sutton (Australian) killed, Cpl W.J.R. Hazleton (Australian) killed.
19/09/1942MasterDL115RAFCnr CranwellThis aircraft was wrecked when it stalled whilst recovering from a dive during a night flying training sortie and crashed into the ground near the airfield. Pilot 2/Lt N Sengun (Turkish) was killed.
19/09/1942OxfordV3523RAFCnr HowellThis aircraft crashed into a field whilst carrying out a practice forced landing approach. Pilot P/O Macgolsham was unhurt.
19/09/1942LancasterR568950sqnnr ThurlbyCoded VN-N. Airborne from Swinderby on a Gardening sortie (to area 'Nasturtium'). The aircraft was wrecked when it crash-landed and caught fire at Thurlby at 0730hrs after the port inner engine failed and and the port outer was feathered by mistake as the crew prepared to land. Pilot Sgt EJ Morley (Australian) unhurt, P/O GWM Harrison (Australian) killed, Sgt H Male killed, Sgt SC Garrett killed, Sgt JW Dalby unhurt, Sgt J Fraser unhurt, Sgt JR Gibbons (Canadian) killed.
20/09/1942OxfordN627115(P)AFUScamptonThis aircraft was damaged when it ran off the taxiway into soft ground. Pilot Sgt Smith was unhurt.
20/09/1942SpitfireP7851CGSSutton BridgeThis aircraft was damaged when the undercarriage collapsed on touchdown after the pilot failed to check that it was locked into position. Pilot P/O EB Chandler was unhurt.
21/09/1942HudsonAM739608sqnDonna NookThis aircraft was damaged whilst taxying to dispersal at 1115hrs. One wheel fell into an unmarked ditch which the pilot had not been briefed on. Pilot F/O AS Hunter and crew were unhurt.
21/09/1942SpitfireBL7702FS/52FGGoxhillThis aircraft was damaged when it taxied into Spifire W3133, pilot P/O Walter L Morgan was unhurt.
21/09/1942SpitfireW31332FS/52FGGoxhillThis aircraft was damaged when it was struck by taxying Spitfire BL770 whilst stationary, pilot P/O John A Carey was unhurt.
21/09/1942BeaufighterEL322236sqnNorth CoatesCoded O, this aircraft was wrecked at 1545hrs after it suffered engine failure on return from patrol. The aircraft lost height whilst making a circuit of the airfield and struck a tree whilst attempting to force-land in a field 1 mile northwest of the airfield, catching fire. Pilot W/O JAAL Bourassa (Canadian) and navigator F/Sgt WL Williams were killed.
22/09/1942WellingtonHF8633OTUCranwellThis aircraft was damaged when it belly-landed on the airfield at 0210hrs on return from a long navigational training flight. One engine failed and caught fire in flight as the aircraft was over the airfield. The pilot was unable to get the aircraft to climb sufficiently to do another circuit, so chose to land wheels-up. Instructor Sgt JG Waddell (Canadian), pupil Sgt L Kogan and crew were unhurt.
22/09/1942HalifaxW1243103sqn CFElsham WoldsCoded PM-B, airborne from Elsham Wolds to practise overshooting on three engines. At 1215 the aircraft stalled in the circuit whilst still on 3 engines, rolled inverted and crashed. W/O R.J. Fulbrook DFC killed, F/Sgt F.W. Hill killed, WO2 N. Hrehorak (Canadian) killed, Sgt D.R. Evans killed, F/Sgt R.L. McCulloch (Canadian) killed.
22/09/1942OxfordAP46415(P)AFUKirmingtonThis aircraft was destroyed when it hit the ground short of the runway after undershooting on landing. Pilot Sgt Harvey was unhurt.
22/09/1942WhitleyZ91491481Fltnr BinbrookAirborne from Binbrook at 1445hrs, the pilot was obliged to force-land close to the airfield 5 minutes after takeoff due to the ailerons jamming. Subsequent investigation discovered that the locking pins had been left in place by the groundcrew rigger and had not been removed by the pilot F/O H R Astbury during his pre-flight checks. Sgt PG Williams and P/P Pyzalski (Polish) were injured in the forced landing and the aircraft was written off.
23/09/1942WellingtonZ1315142sqn3 miles west of North CoatesThis aircraft was damaged in a forced landing in a field at 1530hrs when an engine failed in flight at 1000 feet. Pilot F/O HW Goule and his crew were unhurt.
23/09/1942WellingtonZ1272305sqnHemswellThis aircraft was damaged at 1900hrs when the tailwheel collapsed as the aircraft crossed a patch of bumpy ground on the airfield. Pilot F/Lt M Jonikas (Polish) and his crew were uninjured.
23/09/1942HalifaxW7814Rolls-RoyceHolland House farm nr BostonThis aircraft was destroyed whilst on a test flight from Hucknall to trial a new variety of exhaust manifold. Whilst passing 18000 feet in a full-throttle climb to 20000 feet, the port outer engine, fitted with the new manifold design, caught fire. The engine exploded whilst the crew were attempting to feather it, puncturing the wing and fuel tank. The crew baled out successfully, and shortly afterwards the outer section of the port wing broke off having been weakened by the fire. The aircraft crashed on open farmland, but the severed port wing section fell onto farmer Mr JH Longbottom whilst he was driving his tractor, killing him and wrecking the tractor. Pilot Mr SL Turner, Second Pilot F/Lt RE Tongue and passenger Mr J Steel (Handley-Page representative) were all uninjured.
23/09/1942WellingtonP92221AASManbyThis aircraft was damaged at 1500hrs on return from a cine-gun exercise. At the end of the landing run, the pilot selected undercarriage up instead of flaps up and the port undercarriage collapsed. Pilot P/O EW Stanton and crew were unhurt.
23/09/1942SpitfireBL748303sqnTofts Grange, decoy siteSgt A Kwasniewski (Polish) landed at Hemswell's decoy (Q) site at 01:10 that was unusable as a runway. The aircraft had to be taken away for repair.
24/09/1942LancasterR585497sqnConingsbyThis aircraft was damaged at 2220hrs during a dual instruction circuits and landings sortie. On the second landing, the rear gunner reported an oil leak had rendered his turret unserviceable. He left the turret and joined the crew in the fuselage. During the landing run from the third landing the rear turret fell off. It was discovered that the accident was caused by faulty welds breaking. Pilots S/Ldr GD Stenner, Sgt Piercy (Canadian) and crew were unhurt.
24/09/1942HurricaneP7345253sqnHibaldstowWhilst landing from a training sortie at 1530hrs, the pilot Sgt R C Shorthouse (New Zealander) held off too high on approach, stalled the port wing and landed heavily on one undercarriage leg, bursting the port tyre and causing the port undercarriage leg to collapse.
24/09/1942LysanderT14481AASManbyThis aircraft was damaged on landing at 1940hrs on return from a flight to Sywell. The aircraft arrived back at Manby in the dark with a thunderstorm overhead, and landed heavily in heavy rain without waiting for the airfield flarepath to be lit. Pilot F/Sgt FJ Whyler was uninjured.
24/09/1942LancasterR584644sqnWaddingtonThis aircraft was damaged on landing from a training sortie at 2330hrs. The port tyre had burst on take-off, and on touchdown the aircraft swung, causing the port undercarriage to collapse. Pilot F/O FM Osborn and his crew were unhurt.
25/09/1942OxfordAP48215(P)AFUKirmingtonThis aircraft was damaged when it skidded off the runway following undercarriage collapse after the pilot swung the aircraft on landing to avoid the airfield Chance light. Pilots Sgt Clegg and F/Lt Reid were unhurt.
25/09/1942LancasterR563497sqnNorth-north-west edge of Woodhall SpaThis aircraft was damaged when it overshot the runway and came to rest in undergrowth at the airfield boundary after landing from a night-flying test in bad weather at 1245hrs. Pilot P/O CB MacIntosh (Canadian) and his crew were uninjured.
25/09/1942SpitfireP8087CGSSutton BridgeReturning at 11:35, F/O B J Thwaites struck a ridge on landing. The port undercarriage was torn away. As a result the ridge was fully marked and all personnel warned of its whereabouts. It was deemed too costly to remove the ridge.
26/09/1942ManchesterL74841485FltDunholme LodgeThis aircraft was damaged in flight during a fighter affiliation exercise at 1000hrs. After manoeuvering, the pilot noticed heavy vibrations from the tail of the aircraft and landed at Dunholme Lodge. On inspection, it was discovered that the flanges holding the tailfin in place had loosened. Pilot P/O P Chinn and crew were unhurt.
26/09/1942SpitfireBM539411sqnHemswellAt 23:00 Sgt J Goldbert (Canadian) overshot at Hemswell, He thought he was at his home base, but wasn't. He was given permission to land and set the aircraft down on Hemswell's shortest runway, he overshot, hit a gun post and barbed wire and the aircraft overturned.
26/09/1942WhitleyZ67573OTUWainfleet sandsThis aircraft was written off at 1305hrs when it force-landed on the beach at Wainfleet. The starboard engine failed in flight due to a coolant leak whilst the crew were engaged in a depth-charge dropping training exercise. The crew escaped unhurt, most of the equipment was salvaged, but the aircraft was covered by the high tide and wrecked. Pilots P/O F W Smith and Sgt J W Irvine (Canadian) were uninjured.
27/09/1942BeaufighterX8254409sqnColeby GrangeThis aircraft was damaged on landing from a night-flying test at 1730hrs when the tailwheel was sheared off after striking a cover for one of the airfield lights. Pilot Sgt TS Briggs and his unnamed navigator were unhurt.
27/09/1942LancasterR5901106sqnConingsbyThis aircraft was damaged on landing from a practice bombing sortie at 1520hrs. The pilot touched down heavily causing the starboard undercarriage to collapse. Pilot P/O DJ Shannon (Australian) and his crew were unhurt.
27/09/1942SpitfireBM5825FS/52FGGoxhillThis aircraft was destroyed when it crashed into the ground after hitting an object whilst in flight. Pilot 1/Lt GT Keough was killed.
27/09/1942HampdenP13391AASManbyThis aircraft was damaged at 1510hrs when the undercarriage collapsed whilst the aircraft was taxying after landing. Pilot Sgt LEF Brewer and crew were unhurt.
29/09/1942LysanderR9109 1481FLTBlytonThis aircraft was damaged on landing from a target-towing sortie at 1130hrs when it ran into a ditch on the airfield and tipped onto its nose after the engine failed to fully throttle back. Pilot P/O FS Jackson was unhurt.
29/09/1942LysanderT15831AASManbyThis aircraft was damaged whilst taxying at 1545hrs. A gust of wind caught the aircraft and swung it to face a gun post on the airfield. The pilot left the engine running and got out to help the groundcrew push the tailwheel back onto the peritrack. As the aircraft was being moved, the throttle opened and the aircraft moved forward and struck the gun post. Pilot F/Sgt MH Baker-Munton was unhurt.
30/09/1942OxfordAT6611518 BAT FltScamptonWhilst starting up the aircraft at 15:00, S/Ldr W A Burnside & F/Lt P S Fluggins aircraft had a collapsed starboard undercarriage. F/Lt Fluggins maintains he carried out a full cockpit check and did not touch the lever, the aircraft had been stood out all day and he claimed some one must have moved the lever in to an unsafe position.

October

DateTypeSerialUnitLocationNotes
01/10/1942MasterT8488RAFCCranwellThis aircraft was wrecked when it collided with Oxford X6935 whilst on approach to land. Pilot Cpl J Jilek (Czech) was unhurt.
01/10/1942OxfordX6935RAFCCranwellThis aircraft was wrecked when it crashed into a filed after colliding with Master T8488 on approach to land. Instructor F/O RGM Wright was killed, pupil LAC FAJ Burroughs was seriously injured.
01/10/1942HalifaxBB221103 SqnElsham WoldsThis aircraft was damaged at 1512hrs when the tailwheel was torn off after the aircraft swung off the runway onto the grass on take-off and the pilot had to turn it violently to avoid obstructions. Pilot Sgt RSA Claridge and crew were unhurt.
02/10/1942WhitleyAD6933OTU1 mile east of CranwellWhilst practising circuits & landings on a dark night, this aircraft was severely damaged when it struck a tree at 1953hrs. Pilots Sgt W D Ryan and Sgt J C Harmer found it difficult to see the airfield's flarepath and flew a circuit at 300 feet. When 40 degrees of flap were selected as part of the pre-landing checks, the aircraft lost height rapidly and struck a tree. Sgt Harmer was injured in the accident.
02/10/1942ProctorDX2391SS1mile West of BillinghayAn engine failure made Sgt G J Reid to make a forced landing in a field at 13:30 whilst on a W/T exercise. He overshot his landing and struck a low structure on the edge of the field. The aircraft had to have contractors out to repair it.
02/10/1942B-17 Fortress41-24492367BS/306BGWeston Hills, nr CowbitTook off from Thurleigh for a formation practice-bombing sortie over the area near Spalding. The aircraft crashed following structural failure during a rapid dive from height. The dive was commenced by the pilot to save one of the gunners who had suffered severe anoxia due to a failure in his oxygen supply. Pilot Lt William W. Ely killed, Co-pilot lt Edwin F Patterson killed, Navigator 2nd Lt William H Kuhlman killed, Bombardier 2nd Lt Robert P Cameron Jr killed, Engineer T/Sgt Dudley E Fuller killed, Gunner Pvt Clinton M Goller killed. Ball-turret gunner Sgt Raymond E McAskill and tail gunner S/Sgt William E Kellum baled out and survived the accident.
02/10/1942WellingtonZ853512sqnWickenbyThis aircraft was damaged whilst taxying at 1100hrs when one wingtip struck a fuel bowser after the pilot misjudged his clearance from it. Pilot P/O JA Fawdon and crew were uninjured.
03/10/1942SpitfireBM4792FS/52FGGoxhillThis aircraft was damaged in a heavy landing. The aircraft touched down, bounced and the undercarriage collapsed. Pilot P/O George A Newman Jr was unhurt.
04/10/1942SpitfireP8033CGSSutton BridgeThis aircraft was damaged in a forced landing on the airfield after the engine failed in flight. The engine was wrecked and the aircraft's undercarriage was severely damaged. Pilot F/O GA Hewitt was unhurt.
05/10/1942OxfordBG242RAFCCranwell NorthThis aircraft was damaged when the tailwheel was torn off whilst the aircraft was taxying. Pilot F/Lt J Korndorffer was unhurt.
05/10/1942ManchesterL738657sqnScamptonCoded DX-? The aircraft crash-landed on the airfield at 1445hrs after an engine fire in flight. Pilot P/O ME Walsh DFC & Bar and his crew were unhurt.
06/10/1942ManchesterL74731485FltDunholme LodgeAirborne from Dunholme Lodge at 1440, this aircraft was wrecked when an engine failed on climbout at just 50 feet. The pilot managed to turn the aircraft for a short circuit and crash-landed on the airfield with all crew members uninjured. Pilot F/Sgt HH Taylor (Rhodesian).
06/10/1942BeaufighterV8215143sqnNorth CoatesCoded Z, this aircraft was damaged at 1515hrs when the port engine cut out on take off, causing the port wing to stall and hit the ground, swinging the aircraft and collapsing both undercarriage legs. Pilot F/Sgt AHH Carter (Canadian) and his navigator were unhurt.
07/10/1942LancasterW476657sqnScamptonThis aircraft was damaged when the undercarriage collapsed after the aircraft stalled onto the runway after ballooning during a practice landing at 2035hrs. Pilots F/Sgt CR Ryerse (Canadian), Sgt J Ashton and their crew were unhurt.
08/10/1942MasterDL124RAFCCranwellThis aircraft was destroyed when it crashed after colliding with Master on approach to land. Instructor P/O DHA Wilen and pupil LAC JVP Daly were injured, P/O Wilen seriously so. P/O Wilen died of his injuries in hospital on 15/Sep/42.
08/10/1942MasterDL282RAFCCranwellThis aircraft was destroyed when it crashed after colliding with Master on approach to land. Instructor Sgt AG Willman (Australian) and pupil LAC KR Hickling were killed.
09/10/1942WellingtonDV77615OTUHolbeach MarshReported to have been wrecked when it crash-landed after an engine failure. No further details were recorded on the accident record card.
10/10/1942WellingtonBK311150sqnElsham WoldsCoded JN-? The pilot lost control on approach to the airfield due to extremely windy conditions and crashed at 1521hrs. The aircraft caught fire and was burnt out. Sgt W.H. Allworth injured but subsequently died from his injuries, Sgt R. Ziser (Australian) killed, W/O E.H. Herbert killed, Sgt N.D. Green killed, Sgt N.C. Meyers (Canadian) killed, Sgt Brown unhurt.
10/10/1942SpitfireBM36765sqnKirton in LindseyF/Lt W F Thompson overshot the runway, hit a barbed wire fence on the boundary and tipped the aircraft on its nose.
11/10/1942SpitfireBM3802FS/52FGGoxhillThis aircraft was damaged in a landing incident on return from a training sortie on this date, pilot Roger C Newberry was unhurt.
11/10/1942AiracobraBX28791FS/81FGKirton LindseyThis aircraft was severely damaged when it struck the airfield boundary fence after failing to become fully airborne on the pilot's second attempt to take off. Pilot Lt JL Wortham was unhurt.
11/10/1942SpitfireP7494CGSSutton BridgeThis aircraft was damaged when a tyre burst on touchdown, causing the undercarriage leg to collapse after the pilot landed whilst the aircraft was still drifting. Pilot P/O EA Crist was unhurt.
12/10/1942OxfordA865012(P)AFUGranthamThis aircraft was damaged when the undercarriage collapsed in a heavy landing. Pilot Sgt Weston was unhurt.
12/10/1942OxfordP186812(P)AFUnr HemswellThis aircraft was wrecked when it crash-landed into the decoy (Q) site for Hemswell at Toft Grange after the pilot became lost on a training flight. Pilot Sgt TJ Bassett (Australian) was slightly injured in the crash.
13/10/1942WhitleyT42361481Flt2 miles SW of Blyton airfieldThis aircraft was seriously damaged in a forced landing at 1515hrs 2 minutes after take-off for a searchlight co-operation sortie when the engines failed due to air in the fuel system. Pilots F/Sgt J Osmond & Sgt W W Wadsley (New Zealander) were able to put the aircraft down without injury to the crew.
13/10/1942WhitleyT41413OTUCranwellOn return from a 5 hour night navigation exercise this aircraft was severely damaged at 0015hrs whilst landing. The pilot, Sgt W Anderson (New Zealander) noticed the aircraft drifting to port and opened up the throtlles to go around the circuit again. After retracting the undercarriage the aircraft sank back onto the ground and skidded to a halt in a ditch on the airfield boundary.
13/10/1942WellingtonBK279142sqnGrimsbyThis aircraft was wrecked when it crashed on the airfield at 1842hrs after the starboard tyre burst at 75mph as the aircraft was taking off for operations to Kiel. Pilot P/O G Smith and his crew were uninjured.
13/10/1942HampdenL41821AASManbyThis aircraft was damaged on take-off for a training cross-country flight at 1035hrs. The aircraft swung to starboard as the throttles were opened, the pilot overcorrected to port and the undercarriage collapsed. Pilot P/O G Bodden and crew were uninjured.
13/10/1942OxfordBG21214(P)AFUScamptonSgt R Dyson came in to land at 15:30 from a training flight, his undercarriage collapsed at the end of the landing run. He selected to retract the undercarriage instead of selecting flaps up. The aircraft was damaged beyond the repair capability of the on site unit and a contractor had to be brought in.
14/10/1942LancasterR59049sqnWaddingtonThis aircraft was damaged whilst taxying at 1300hrs. The tailwheel assembly collapsed and fell off. It was adjudged to be caused by defective design, exacerbated by the aircraft having performed 67 landings in fairly short succession. Pilot Sgt NL Schofield and his crew were unhurt.
15/10/1942OxfordAB75912(P)AFUHarlaxtonThis aircraft was damaged when the tailwheel collapsed as the aircraft made a heavy tail-first landing in a gusty wind. Pilot P/O Ray was unhurt.
15/10/1942LysanderW69391AASManbyThis aircraft was damaged on landing from an air firing sortie at 1120hrs. Whilst landing in a gusty wind, the aircraft bounced after a heavy landing. The wind caught the aircraft in the stalled position and lifted the port wing, causing the aircraft to swing and drop onto the port undercarriage, which broke on impact. Pilot Sgt FJ Whyler was uninjured.
15/10/1942LancasterR585549sqnScamptonThis aircraft was damaged at 1555hrs when it swung on take-off after one tyre burst, causing the undercarriage to collapse. The tyre was discovered to have been damaged by broken glass from one of the airfield lights being embedded in it. Pilot F/Sgt CR Ryerse (Canadian) and his crew were unhurt.
16/10/1942WellingtonX3960142sqnnr LudboroughCoded QT-Q. Airborne 1903hrs 15Oct42 from Waltham for Cologne. On return, crashed 0012hrs near Ludborough, 5 miles NNW of Louth. Prior to the crash, the crew had made radio contact with base and had been given instructions to orbit the airfield at 2,000 feet. Sgt Patenaude was an American from Cohoes, New York, serving with the RCAF. F/Sgt R.J.L.Cole (Canadian) killed, Sgt W.S.Walker killed, F/Sgt C.G.MacLennan (Canadian) killed, Sgt H.G.Lester killed, Sgt R.A.Patenaude (American) killed.
17/10/1942AiracobraBX20091FS/81FGKirton LindseyDamaged in a taxying accident, aircraft severely damaged (cat 4), pilot Lt Lee W Lowe
17/10/1942BeaufighterT4721236sqnNorth CoatesThis aircraft was damaged at 1459hrs during a motor torpedo boat cooperation exercise. The pilot struck the mast of a motor launch after being briefly distracted through looking at another aircraft nearby whilst conducting a dummy low-level attack. Pilot S/Ldr GR McDonald and his navigator P/O Fern were unhurt.
18/10/1942HalifaxDG2291656CUElsham WoldsThis aircraft was damaged at 1305hrs after the port inner engine failed and caught fire at 150 feet shortly after take-off on the pilot's first solo on type. The pilot made a good circuit and landed wheels-up on the airfield. Pilot Sgt GD King and flight engineer Sgt EC Halstead (Australian) were unhurt.
18/10/1942Tiger MothDE147RAF Bottesford Station FlightSwinderbyWhilst taxying at 15:20, F/O R Hannah was blown over in his Tiger Moth as he went behind a Lancaster. The pilot of the Lancaster failed to notice the Tiger Moth moving behind his aircraft and opened the throttles.
18/10/1942ManchesterL73761654CUSwinderbyThis aircraft was damaged whilst taxying at 1330hrs. The brakes were ineffective and the pilot was unable to stop a swing which developed. The aircraft ran into a gunpit on the airfield, damaging the undercarriage. Pilot P/O Kane and his crew were unhurt.
19/10/1942AusterLB297654sqn/33wing AACCulverthorpeWhilst attempting to land in a small field, pilot Cpt W J Butterworth made a low approach, the aircraft clipped a hedge and landed heavily, breaking the undercarriage.
20/10/1942BeaufighterEL280236sqnNorth CoatesCoded V, this aicraft was taken up by B flight's CO with a passenger on a local flying exercise. Whilst pulling out of a dive from 3000 feet at 500 feet above the sea, both of the aircraft's elevators were seen to detach from the aircraft which subsequently crashed onto North Coates beach where it caught fire. The structural failure was attributed to two modifications having not been made to the airframe after a similar accident to another of the squadron's aircraft 3 months previously. Pilot S/Ldr GR MacDonald (New Zealander) killed, passenger F/Lt A Kerr (HQ 16 Group) killed.
21/10/1942SpitfireW32642FS/52FGGoxhillThis aircraft was damaged when it struck a tractor whilst taxying . Pilot F/O Miles R Lynn Jr. was unhurt.
21/10/1942SpitfireAR4042FS/52FGNr GoxhillThis aircraft belly-landed approximately 2 miles south of RAF Goxhill and was destroyed after running out of fuel. Pilot was W/O Edwin M Boughton.
22/10/1942OxfordBG174RAFCCranwellThis aircraft sustained damage ti the fueslage and engines when it skidded off the runway after landig heavily. Pilot LAC Bartlett was unhurt.
23/10/1942BeaufighterX8259409sqnColeby GrangeThis aircraft was damaged at 1730hrs during a cine-gun practice flight. X8259 was acting as a target aircraft for Beaufighter X8142 to make mock attack runs at when the thumb of X8142's pilot caught the gun trigger button as well as the cine gun trigger. X8259 was hit by several rounds from X8142's guns but landed safely with no injury to pilot Sgt HF Pearce (Canadian) or his unnamed navigator.
23/10/1942WhitleyP50783OTUCranwellWhilst taxying out for a night training sortie at 2015hrs, this aircraft was damaged when the tailwheel collapsed due to damage from previous heavy landings on the rough airfield surface. Pilot Sgt H Hughes and crew were uninjured.
26/10/1942SpitfireW3893303sqnMonkham Farm, WestwoodsideF/Lt J Marciniak (Polish) had to make a forced landing in a field when his fuel pump failed mid flight at 11:00. The aircraft was written off. On further inspection foreign objects were found in the damaged fuel pump.
27/10/1942HamilcarDR852SHQ CranwellCranwellThis aircraft was damaged whilst stationary on the airfield when it was struck by an ambulance which drove underneath the wing instead of round the aircraft. The trailing edge of the wing was damaged in the collision. No aircrew were aboard at the time and no injuries were reported.
27/10/1942SpitfireBL851411sqnDigbyAfter a night time training flight, Sgt J A McMillan (Canadian) landed his Spitfire with the undercarriage retracted at 20:00. The aircraft could be repaired but contractors would be needed from the factory.
27/10/1942SpitfireNK411sqnDigbyThis aircraft was damaged when it struck a tractor on take-off. Pilot A/Cdr Probyn was unhurt.
27/10/1942MasterW8969CGSSutton BridgeThis aircraft was damaged when it belly-landed on the airfield after the pilot forgot to lower the undercarriage, Pilot S/Ldr PW Lefevre was unhurt.
27/10/1942LancasterW47781661CUSwinderbyThis aircraft was damaged whilst landing from a training flight at 2253hrs. One tyre burst, causing the aircraft to swing and the undercarriage to collapse. Pilot Sgt VC Hayward (Canadian) and crew were unhurt.
29/10/1942OxfordAP458RAFCCranwellThis aircraft was damaged when the undercarriage collapsed on landing after the aircraft swung to port on touchdown. The aircraft swung through 180 degrees on the runway before coming to a halt. Pilots Sgt Scammell and P/O Liddle were unhurt.
29/10/1942WhitleyZ91373OTUCranwellThis aircraft was recalled from a sortie due to bad weather. On landing at 2135hrs, the pilots Sgt M H Paynton (Australian) and Sgt I K Mumford (Canadian) were unable to correct the aircraft swinging to port on landing due to a strong crosswind. The aircraft hit a parked Wellington LA967, damaging both aircraft in the collision.
29/10/1942Tiger MothDE276303sqnKirton in LindseyP/O B Szelestowski (Polish) was taking off at 11:00 on a cross country flight. Due to high winds he was unable to clear the hangars, so carried out a left turn but was unable to clear a wire fence. He turned left again, touched down rolling downwind but had to open up the throttle and climb to avoid two parked aircraft. At this point the Tiger Moth stalled and dived in to the ground damaging it.
29/10/1942MasterDK982RAFCnr NormantonThis aircraft was wrecked when it flew into the ground at night 1 mile northeast of Normanton. The pilot may have been distracted at the time of the crash as he had received a telegram just before take-off to advise that his wife was seriously ill. Pilot LAC PJ Isidore (Indian) was killed.
30/10/1942BeaufighterX8151409sqnColeby GrangeThis aircraft was damaged when it belly-landed on the airfield at 1730hrs on return from a night-flying test. The pilot elected to land wheels-up after damaging the undercarriage on take-off by retracting the wheels before the aircraft was fully airborne. Pilot Sgt MA Naylor (Canadian) and his unnamed navigator were unhurt.
31/10/1942OxfordBG66515(P)AFUSouth KelseyThis aircraft was destroyed at 0930hrs when it hit a house whilst carrying out unauthorised low flying. On impact, it rolled over and hit another house, setting both on fire. Pilots Sgt SR Williams and Sgt IH Williams both killed.
31/10/1942LancasterR55031661CUSwinderbyThis aircraft was damaged on landing from a training flight at 1516hrs when a tyre burst, causing the aircraft to swing and the undercarriage to collapse. Pilot Sgt G Oldham and crew were unhurt.
31/10/1942LancasterW423997sqnWoodhall SpaCoded OF-L. This aircraft was wrecked when it crashed at 2050hrs in the Woodhall Spa circuit 200 yards outside the airfield, while trying to land at the end of a Bullseye flight. The aircraft approached at right angles to the flarepath, banked and made a steep turn to port with the undercarraige and flaps down, and crashed. The accident was attributed to the port outer engine failing in flight and catching fire, with the unfeathered propellor windmilling and causing additional drag. Pilot Sgt W.MacLeod injured, 4 other unnamed crewmembers also injured, Sgt D Francis killed, Sgt RG Matthams (Australian) killed.

November

DateTypeSerialUnitLocationNotes
01/11/1942OxfordV395515(P)AFUHemswellThis aircraft was damaged whilst making a belly-landing when it collided with Wellington parts left on the airfield due to maintence teams not moving the parts. Pilots Sgt Sayer and Sgt Thompson were unhurt.
04/11/1942OxfordAT6631518BATFGrange Farm, BrattlebyAirborne from Scampton to carry out a meteorological test flight, using the blind-landing beam as an aid. During the test, the pilot reported problems with the beam receiver, and was ordered to head towards North Luffenham. At 1430, the aircraft struck trees at Grange Farm and crashed. F/L C.H. Butt (New Zealander) killed, F/O R.S. Shaw (Canadian) killed
05/11/1942MasterDK833RAFCCranwellThis aircraft was damaged when it was struck by Master T8387 on the ground. No further details recorded.
05/11/1942MasterT8387RAFCCranwellThis aircraft was damaged when it struck Master DK833 on the ground. No further details recorded.
06/11/1942OxfordL4633409sqnColeby GrangeSgt G L Linklater was returning from a ferry flight at 12:30 when he taxied into Magister R1819 which was parked on the airfield. A lack of pressure in the brakes caused the aircraft to swing and strike the parked aircraft. The damage was repairable on site.
06/11/1942MagisterR1819409sqnColeby GrangeThis aircraft was damaged whilst parked at 1230hrs when it was struck by taxying Oxford L4633.
06/11/1942LancasterW416557sqnScamptonThis aircraft was damaged at 2130hrs when it taxied into Lancaster W4257 which was parked inside the peritrack but not lit as an obstruction. The collision was caused by confused signalling by the groundcrew handling the moving aircraft. No crew names are recorded.
06/11/1942LancasterW425757sqnScamptonThis aircraft was damaged whilst parked up unoccupied when it was struck by taxying Lancaster W4165 at 2130hrs.
06/11/1942ManchesterL73191654CUSwinderbyThis aircraft was damaged whilst taxying for a test flight at 1500hrs. The undercarriage was damaged when the aircraft taxied across a trench which had been dug for laying electricity cables. Pilot F/Lt Lehamel and his crew were uninjured.
07/11/1942ManchesterR57911485FltFulbeckThis aircraft was damaged on landing from an air gunnery flight at 1020hrs when the tailwheel collapsed whilst the aircraft was taxying back to dispersal. Pilot F/Sgt DC Hunter (Canadian) and his crew were unhurt.
07/11/1942HurricaneBE581532sqnnr MablethorpeThis aircraft was wrecked at 2025hrs when it overturned whilst making a forced landing at night and hit a hedge on the decoy site 1 mile west of Mablethorpe. The pilot reported that the aircraft's lights had all failed, due to the battery becoming detached in flight. Pilot Sgt WH Carter (New Zealander) was injured in the crash.
07/11/1942BeaufighterT3434143sqnTetney HavenThis aircraft was wrecked at 1900hrs when it glided into shallow water from low altitude on the pilot's first night-flight on the type. The board of inquiry found that the pilot had inadvertently lowered the flaps rather than raising them at the point he switched from flying visually to flying on instruments. The pilot was not strapped in at the time of the crash, and the board of inquiry noted that they believed the pilot would not have been killed if he had been strapped in. Pilot Sgt G.D.Lewis was killed.
08/11/1942HavocAH458538sqnHibaldstowThis aircraft was wrecked after it ran off the peritrack whilst taxying and struck a brick building. The pilot had mistaken lights on the building for those of the peritrack as his windscreen had misted up. Pilot Sgt Lowndes and wireless operator Sgt EP Letchford were both seriously injured and taken to Scunthorpe hospital.
08/11/1942HalifaxW1253158sqnin the HumberCoded NP-M, Airborne 1725hrs 7/Nov/42 from Rufforth for Genoa. Homebound, the aircraft ran low on fuel and ditched at 0430hrs in the River Humber on the east foreshore between Alexandra Dock and Island Pier after both port engines cut out due to fuel starvation. In the moments before the bomber went into the water, two crew members baled out but both drowned, while a third crew member was killed on impact. Sgt Purchase was admitted to Station Sick Quarters, Brough. P/O D.Beveridge Sgt A.E.F.Wheeler Sgt L.Purchase injured, Sgt M.A.Goldstein killed, F/Sgt M.F.Carlin killed, Sgt R.W.Stockton (Canadian) killed, Sgt D.G.Culver (Canadian) injured, P/O Beveridge, Sgt Wheeler and Sgt Culver were to experience another traumatic crash within a week of this incident in W7859.
08/11/1942HampdenP5343CGSSutton BridgeThis aircraft was damaged when it belly-landed on the airfield on return from a local flight after one undercarriage leg was torn off on take-off when it struck a ridge on the airfield surface. Pilot F/Sgt A Digby and crew were unhurt.
08/11/1942LancasterR59169sqnWaddingtonCoded WS-R. Airborne from Waddington at 1746hrs 7/Nov/42 for Genoa. On return to base, and while preparing to land, the aircraft was destroyed when it collided with another 9 Squadron Lancaster (W4265) and crashed and burned out at 0200hrs in the airfield circuit. F/O K.A.Mackenzie DFC (Canadian) killed, Sgt J.J Taafe killed, Sgt A.R.Billington killed, Sgt K.T.J.Adams killed, Sgt R.E. Werren killed, Sgt D.J.Wicks killed, Sgt H.R.Willacy killed.
08/11/1942LancasterW416244sqnWaddingtonThis aircraft was severely damaged whilst parked unoccupied at dispersal after it caught fire when hit with burning debris from the mid-air collision between Lancaster W4265 and Lancaster R5916 at 0200hrs.
08/11/1942LancasterW42659sqnWaddingtonCoded WS-L. Airborne at 1753hrs 7/Nov/42 for Genoa. On return to base, the aircraft was destroyed when it collided with another 9 Squadron Lancaster (R5916/WS-R) at 0200hrs and crashed and burned out in the airfield circuit. F/Sgt A.J. McDonald (Canadian) killed, Sgt J.W.Bowes killed, F/Sgt D.L.Grimes (Canadian) killed, Sgt D.D.Low (Canadian) killed, Sgt N.Curd killed, Sgt R.G.G.Anthony killed, Sgt R.C.Perchard killed.
09/11/1942WellingtonBJ837150sqnKirmingtonThis aircraft was damaged whilst taxying out for operations at 2350hrs. The tailwheel was damaged after running through a patch of very soft ground on the airfield. Pilot Sgt P Holt and his crew were uninjured.
10/11/1942LancasterW426257sqnBurgh-on-BainCoded DX-? Airborne 1721hrs from Scampton to lay mines in the mouth of the River Gironde. The aircraft was wrecked on return when it crashed at 2223hrs into high ground at Burgh on Bain near Ludford. Poor visibility was a contributory factor. F/Sgt R.R.Abercrombie killed, Sgt A.B.Jackson killed, Sgt J.H.Barry (New Zealander) killed, Sgt W.H.Warren (Australian) killed, F/Sgt M.G.Everard killed, Sgt J.E.Young killed, Sgt F.O.Button killed.
10/11/1942ManchesterL74581660CUSwinderbyThis aircraft was damaged at 1140hrs when the tailwheel collapsed during a normal landing run. Pilot F/Lt KG Tew and crew were unhurt.
11/11/1942OxfordDE22212(P)AFUHarlaxtonThis aircraft landed heavily due to the pilot taking overshoot action too late. The starboard undercarriage collapsed on touchdown. Pilot P/O Jotcham was unhurt.
13/11/1942OxfordV390515(P)AFUHoughamThis aircraft was destroyed in a mid-air collision with Whitley Z9134. The aircraft were flying at 300 feet in low cloud and heavy rain. Oxford V3905 had been recalled due to bad weather but had not responded to the recall. Both aircraft crashed out of control and caught fire on the ground. Pilot Sgt AJ Stone was killed.
13/11/1942WhitleyZ913442OTUHoughamThis aircraft was destroyed in a mid-air collision with Oxford V3905. The aircraft were flying at 300 feet in low cloud and heavy rain. Oxford V3905 had been recalled due to bad weather but had not responded to the recall. Both aircraft crashed out of control and caught fire on the ground. P/O T Mason killed, Sgt B Bamford killed, Sgt J Mallett injured but died the following day, Sgt RO Parker killed, Sgt FWJ Allfrey killed.
14/11/1942LancasterR556997sqnnr BrattlebyCoded OF-B. This aircraft was destroyed after it encountered adverse weather during a 'Bulls Eye' exercise and the crew tried to land at Scampton. The pilot misjudged his first approach and while attempting to go round again, the Lancaster stalled and dived into the ground at Brattleby, 6 miles NNW of Lincoln, and burst into flames at 2254hrs. Sgt Collings died from his injuries in Bracebridge Hospital. Sgt K.P.Mercer (Canadian) killed, Sgt G.G.Plimmer killed, F/O J.W.Marshall killed, F/O F.Mayes killed, F/Sgt A.E.Shelson (Canadian) killed, Sgt K.V.G.Collings injured, Sgt A.E.Trott killed.
16/11/1942BeaufighterX7893409sqnColeby GrangeThis aircraft was damaged in a heavy landing at 1830hrs. The pilot had been practising circuits and landings when the top hatch blew open in flight, unsettling him. This was attributed to his failing to check that the hatch was firmly latched closed before take-off. He touched the aircraft down heavily, causing the tailwheel to collapse. Pilot Sgt BH Barber (Canadian) was unhurt.
17/11/1942LancasterW4336103 SqnElsham WoldsThis aircraft was damaged whilst taxying at 2130hrs. The pilot noticed the tail of the aircraft shimmying, and stopped the aircraft. On inspection it was discovered that the tailwheel assembly had sheared. Pilot Sgt A Greig and his crew were unhurt.
17/11/1942LancasterR575350sqnSkellingthorpeCoded VN-C. This aircraft was damaged at 1150hrs when it crashed on landing during a training flight and caught fire. The tail unit collapsed, the port wing was damaged and fuel leaking onto the runway caught fire. Pilot Sgt AL Kitching and crew were unhurt.
19/11/1942HalifaxBB209158sqnCastle BythamCoded NP-G. Airborne at 1739hrs 18/Nov/42 from Rufforth for Turin. Homebound, the aircraft was hit by Flak 55 km SE of Paris. Subsequently the aircraft was abandoned at 0250hrs and left to crash at Stockton Hall Farm, Castle Bytham, 11 miles SSE of Grantham. Sgt Benford was an American serving in the RCAF and soon after this incident he was transferred to the USAAF. Sgt S.M.Benford (Canadian) unhurt, Sgt E.Heweston unhurt, Sgt R.V.Ledger unhurt, Sgt M.Smith (Canadian) unhurt, Sgt M.Rees unhurt, Sgt F.C.Howe unhurt, Sgt J.R.Griffen unhurt.
20/11/1942LancasterR5745207sqnBottesfordThis aircraft was damaged when it overshot the runway whilst landing in very poor visibility at 1035hrs. The pilot had not been advised to divert to another airfield due to the weather as his radio had failed and local flying control failed to fire a signal flare to tell the pilot not to attempt landing. Pilot F/Sgt JB Chester (Canadian) and his crew were unhurt.
21/11/1942LancasterR58421661CUScamptonThis aircraft was found to be damaged after taxying back to the hangar at the end of a training flight. The tail oleo spigot had broken, allowing the tailwheel to move forward and damage the front spar of the tailplane. Pilot Sgt A Wark (Canadian) and crew were unhurt.
22/11/1942BlenheimN352312(P)AFUHarlaxtonThis aircraft was damaged at 1620hrs when the port undercarriage collapsed whilst taxying. Pilot F/Lt SP Searls and his crew were unhurt.
22/11/1942SpitfireAD192303sqnHibaldstowSgt J Dabrowski (Polish) was taxying out at 04:00 when he struck a taxying Hurricane, BN235. The spitfire came off worse as it had to be dismantled and sent away for repair.
22/11/1942HurricaneBN235303sqnHibaldstowThis aircraft was taxying out at 04:00 when it was struck by Spitfire AD192. The damage caused was small and could be repaired on site.
22/11/1942BeaufighterV8197143sqnNorth CoatesThis aircraft was damaged whilst low-flying over the sea on operations. On the outbound leg of the flight, the propellors struck a large wave, damaging 4 blades and loosening one engine in its mountings. The aircraft returned to base safely, pilot F/O HC Hopwood and navigator F/Sgt GP Thorburn were unhurt.
25/11/1942LancasterR5694207sqnEastonCoded EM-F. Airborne at 1500hrs from Langar for Bad Zwischenahn. The aircraft was destroyed when it crashed into high ground and burst into flames near Easton, 6 miles SSE of Grantham at 1830hrs. F/L R.J.Hannah DFC killed, Sgt P.J.Thompson (P2) killed, F/Sgt J.K.B.Lee killed, Sgt B.L.McK Jenkin killed, Sgt A.Roberts killed, Sgt J.B.Burton killed, Sgt E.R.D.Piper killed, Sgt J.Sanders killed.
25/11/1942WellingtonL7785CGSSutton BridgeThis aircraft was damaged on landing when the starboard wheel collapsed. Pilot F/Sgt VP Friese-Green and crew were unhurt.
25/11/1942LancasterW431550sqnSwinderbyThis aircraft was damaged when it caught fire after it landed heavily and overshot the runway on landing from a training cross-country flight. The pilot swung the aircraft to avoid a crash, the undercarriage collapsed and the aircraft caught fire. Pilot Sgt FH Huntley and crew were uninjured.
25/11/1942LancasterW432812sqnWickenbyThis aircraft was damaged at 1500hrs when the tailwheel collapsed whilst the aircraft was taxying during a circuits and landings practice flight, possibly due to damage inflicted on previous heavy landings. Pilots S/Ldr HW Southgate, S/Ldr CB Morton and their crew were unhurt.
26/11/1942MasterDK986RAFCCranwellThis aircraft was damaged when it bounced and stalled on landing on this date. No further details recorded.
26/11/1942LancasterW41321661CUWaddingtonThis aircraft was damaged on landing during a dual instruction sortie at 1545hrs. The pupil pilot touched down halfway across the airfield, and the brakes failed to halt the aircraft on the wet grass. The aircraft overshot the runway, struck the boundary hedge and ran on to a Nissen hut. Instructor F/Sgt PHP Crompton, pupil P/O RD Robinson and their crew were unhurt.
27/11/1942LancasterR59081661HCUScamptonAirborne from Scampton at 1925hrs for a night flying exercise, the aircraft was wrecked when it was landed heavily from an approach at 2015hrs, due to the pilot misjudging his height and believing he was 50 feet higher up than the aircraft's actual altitude. The impact broke the aircraft's undercarriage. Pilots Sgt RD Codlin, Sgt H Siddons and their crew were unhurt.
27/11/1942SpitfireP7440CGSSutton BridgeThis aircraft was damaged when it landed with the undercarriage retracted. The undercarriage had failed to lower despite the selector switch being in the 'down' position. Pilot S/Ldr PJ Ritchie was unhurt.
28/11/1942TyphoonR87461 Delivery FlightConingsbyF/Sgt K K Cox (Australian) was delivering this Typhoon to 183 Sqn at 15:40, he had to make a forced landing on an unusable part of the runway. An oil leak from somewhere near the propeller had obscured the view through the windscreen, on touching down on rough ground the undercarriage collapsed.
28/11/1942LancasterR589449sqnScamptonThis aircraft was damaged on landing from a night-time cross-country training flight at 2319hrs. The pilot was unable to see the flarepath in poor visibility, overshot on landing and the aircraft struck an air-raid shelter on the airfield. Pilot Sgt EL Cole (Australian) and all bar one of his crew were unhurt, one unnamed crewmember was injured.
29/11/1942BeaufighterX8254409sqnColeby GrangeThis aircraft was damaged at 0015hrs whilst landing from a night-flying training sortie. The pilot was concerned that he might not be able to land before fog enveloped the airfield and made a heavy touchdown on his first attempt, bursting a hydraulic line and causing the undercarriage to fail. He chose to go around again and made a successful belly-landing on the airfield. Pilot Sgt WB Wilson (Canadian) and his unnamed observer were unhurt.
30/11/1942OxfordX6794RAFCBarkstonThis aircraft was damaged when the undercarriage collapsed as a result of the pilot overcorrecting a swing on landing. Pilot LAC Haselton was unhurt.
30/11/1942OxfordT114112(P)AFUHarlaxtonThis aircraft was damaged in a landing accident on this date. Pilots Sgt Crouch and Sgt Keen were unhurt.

December

DateTypeSerialUnitLocationNotes
01/12/1942StirlingBV6446FPPBottesfordF/Sgt A W Vincent & Cpl F Shoulder were taxying out when the starboard tail plane struck a steamroller. The steamroller moved on the the perimeter track and hit the aircraft, it was either out of control or incorrectly controlled. There was nothing either of the aircrew could have done to avoid the incident.
01/12/1942OxfordW2656RAFCCranwellThis aircraft was damaged on landing when the tailwheel collapsed as the pilot braked heavily to prevent the aircraft swinging. Pilot Cpl Burns was unhurt.
01/12/1942BeaufighterV8198143sqnDonna NookCoded N. The aircraft took off at 1915hrs from RAF Donna Nook on a searchlight cooperation sortie. At approx. 100-120 feet above ground after takeoff the starboard engine failed due to the supercharger impellor running out of alignment and damaging its casing. The pilot, F/O J.R. Worswick, performed a forced landing on the beach at Donna Nook, tearing off both engines in the process, and the aircraft was classed as a write-off due to damage incurred. F/O Worswick’s actions and initiative were commended by the AOC. Both F/O Worswick and his passenger, Major Squirrel, were unhurt.
01/12/1942ManchesterR58361661HCUScamptonAirborne from Scampton at 1505hrs for a daylight training sortie. The aircraft returned to the airfield as dusk was falling. The approach was too high, and at approximately 1710hrs the aircraft stalled onto the runway from an altitude of some 15 feet, damaging the airframe beyond repair. Pilot P/O JM Desmond (Australian) and his crew were unhurt.
04/12/1942BeaufortAW194Station FlightNorth CoatesThis aircraft was involved in a collision with Tiger Moth T6240 whilst taxying on the runway at 1730hrs. T6240 was stationary at the time, AW194 was being taxied without the authority of flying control and by Mr EH Davies, a representative of the Bristol Aeroplane Company who had no experience as a pilot and was not authorised to move service aircraft. The Beaufort's brakes failed, which led to the collision.
04/12/1942Tiger MothT6240Station FlightNorth CoatesThis aircraft was damaged at 1730hrs whilst stationary when it was struck by Beaufort AW194 which was being taxied without authorisation by a civilian.
04/12/1942BeaufighterV8150143sqnNorth CoatesCoded R, this aircraft was wreckedat 1620hrs when it undershot and crash-landed on the beach near the airfield after an engine failed and caught fire in flight. The engine overheated on approach on return from detachment to Thorney Island due to an internal coolant leak. Pilot F/O ME Lawton and navigator W/O GG Cottier were unhurt.
04/12/1942DefiantN178629OTUnr SleafordThis aircraft was damaged when the pilot made a heavy forced landing in a field at 1655hrs. He had become lost in bad weather and the aircraft ran low on fuel. The pilot attempted a wheels-down forced landing but the aircraft bounced and the starboard undercarriage leg broke, causing the aircraft to come to rest on its nose. Pilot F/Sgt R McGladdery and his unnamed gunner were unhurt.
05/12/1942WellingtonDV9253OTUDigbyThis aircraft was damaged on landing when the starboard undercarriage collapsed, causing the wing and propellor to hit the ground. The unnamed crew were unhurt.
05/12/1942Tiger MothT6308Station Flight (Lindholme)GrimsbyF/O G S Smith Landed his Tiger Moth at 16:15 in gusty winds and a strong cross winds which blew the aircraft over on to its back.
05/12/1942OxfordBG22114(P)AFUInghamSgt H A Moore was out on a training flight practicing circuits and landings, He misjudged his approach and went round for another circuit raised his undercarriage and continued round, he forgot to lower it again for the next approach and landed the aircraft with it retracted. An outside repair contractor had to be used to get the aircraft airworthy again.
05/12/1942LancasterR575149sqnScamptonThis aircraft was damaged at 1700hrs on landing from a training flight when the port tyre burst on touchdown, causing the port undercarriage to collapse. Pilot F/O JR McDonald and his crew were unhurt.
05/12/1942HalifaxR95311658CUScunthorpeAirborne from Riccall for a day cross-country flight. The aircraft was seen flying quite low at around 1300hrs when it spun in after banking steeply. Around a dozen people on the ground were injured and damage was done to several civilian properties by the crash. F/Sgt D.C. Cameron (Canadian) killed, Sgt R.J Marshall killed, F/Sgt J.C. Macaulay killed, Sgt C.F. Bonorino killed, Sgt J.A. Barrett-Lennard (Australian) killed, Sgt H.G. Jenkins killed, Sgt R.F. Pretty injured.
05/12/1942ManchesterR57901661CUWaddingtonThis aircraft was damaged at 1530hrs when the tailwheel collapsed as the aircraft was taxying. Pilot Sgt NE Burton and crew were unhurt.
06/12/1942MasterW9014RAFCBarkston HeathThis aircraft force-landed on the airfield on this date, no further details recorded.
06/12/1942OxfordED28312(P)AFUHarlaxtonThis aircraft was damaged when it crashed after striking a tractor whilst taking off. Pilot P/O Deans was unhurt.
06/12/1942WellingtonZ1465300sqnInghamThis aircraft was damaged at 2202hrs when it undershot the runway after approaching too steeply during a night-time circuits and landings sortie. Pilot Sgt C Przedpelski (Polish) and his crew were uninjured.
07/12/1942BeaufighterEL221254sqnNorth CoatesThis aircraft was damaged at 1210hrs when the tailwheel collapsed after the pilot made a heavy landing in a strong tailwind due to construction work on the airfield preventing use of the correct runway. Pilot F/Sgt EJ Hann and his crew were unhurt.
07/12/1942BeaufighterT3446143sqnNorth CoatesCoded K, this aircraft was taking off in a strong crosswind at 1030hrs when it swung and collided with Lysander V9538 of 278sqn after the port engine failed to deliver full power. Pilot W/O VA Bain and navigator Sgt CR Room were unhurt. A civilian car belonging to Mr Davies of the Bristol Aeroplane Co was also damaged in the incident.
07/12/1942LysanderV9538278sqnNorth CoatesThis aircraft was damaged whilst stationary when it was struck by Beaufighter T3446 of 143sqn after it crashed following a take-off accident.
07/12/1942LancasterR55961661CUWaddingtonThis aircraft was damaged on landing from a training flight at 1815hrs when one tyre burst, causing the aircraft to swing off the runway and the undercarriage to collapse. Pilot P/O JS Runnacles and crew were unhurt.
08/12/1942BlenheimV56371AASManbyThis aircraft was damaged when it swung off the runway whilst landing with drift in a slight crosswind at 0945hrs. The port wheel sank into soft ground, causing the aircraft to spin around and tip onto its nose. Pilot Sgt BA Williams and crew were unhurt .
09/12/1942HudsonN7404CGSSutton BridgeThis aircraft was wrecked when it crashed and caught fire after the undercarriage collapsed due to oiver-corrected swing on take-off for a pilot conversion sortie. Pupil pilot Sgt L Molyneaux and instructor F/Lt CT Boxall were unhurt.
09/12/1942LancasterW42549sqnWoodhall SpaThis aircraft was damaged at 0150hrs on return from operations. The pilot misunderstood his taxy instructions and turned up a section of the taxiway which was under repair. He was ordered to stop and remain where he was, but another signaller told him to turn around and return to the runway. On turning the aircraft the tailwheel fell into an unmarked hole and collapsed. Pilot Sgt J Wilson (Canadian) and crew were uninjured.
10/12/1942HurricaneW9224288sqnAshby nr ScunthorpeThis aircraft was destroyed at 1450hrs whilst engaged on a low-lying co-operation sortie. It dived into the ground from 50 feet whilst attempting to make a forced landing after the engine caught fire in the air. Pilot Sgt H.G.W. Smith (Australian) was killed. Sgt Smith had been granted a Commission and was actually P/O Smith, but he died before he could be told of his promotion.
10/12/1942LancasterW425057sqnRoughton MoorCoded DX-K, W4250 was airborne at 1746hrs 9/Dec/42 from Scampton for Turin. The pilot elected to turn back early after problems with the port outer engine over France. Whilst attempting to land at Woodhall Spa, the aircraft stalled and crashed 1 mile north of the airfield at 0220hrs. The injured were taken to RAF Hospital Rauceby, where Sgt McPherson and Sgt McLeod died soon after being admitted. F/Sgt G.H.Ramey (Canadian) killed, Sgt K.W.Pharoah killed, P/O A.J.McLaughlin (Canadian) killed, Sgt W.O.Lundy injured, Sgt J.F.Macpherson injured, F/Sgt R.B.Dion (Canadian) killed, Sgt T.N.McLeod injured.
10/12/1942HalifaxW7668158sqnScamptonWhilst landing at Scampton at 0106hrs on diversion after an operation to Turin, this aircraft was damaged when the undercarriage collapsed after the pilot landed without ensuring the wheels were locked down after he became distracted by the number of aircraft in the circuit to land at the airfield. Pilot P/O PL Beesley and crew were unhurt.
10/12/1942LancasterW416861sqnSwinderbyCoded QR-? Airborne at 1747hrs 9/Dec/42 for Turin. On return, after one engine failed in flight, the aircraft was wrecked when it overshot and crashed at 0235hrs after landing downwind. Sgt H.Goodwin (American), Sgt H.D.Lewis, F/SJ.W.Patterson, Sgt L.S Hampnett, Sgt G.Walker, Sgt S.Smith, Sgt T.R.Jones all uninjured.
11/12/1942LancasterW411750sqnSkellingthorpeCoded VN-R. This aircraft was wrecked when it crashed on return to Skellingthorpe from a night cross-country sortie at 2330hrs. The aircraft landed heavily, bounced, and stalled onto the port wheel, causing the undercarriage to collapse. No injuries were reported to pilot Sgt Morry (Canadian) or his crew.
11/12/1942Tiger MothDE765316sqnSutton BridgeThis aircraft was damaged when it overturned on landing in strong winds. Pilot Sgt Murkowski was unhurt.
12/12/1942BeaufighterT5219254sqnNorth CoatesThis aircraft was damaged at 0845hrs on take-off for an operational sortie. The starboard engine lost power, and the pilot throttled back and braked heavily to abort his takeoff. The aircraft slid across the grass airfield and struck a pile of construction materials. Pilot W/O TJ McIntosh and his crew were unhurt.
13/12/1942SpitfireBL567303sqnKirton in LindseyP/O B Bialecki (Pol) was landing at 11:00 after a training flight in extremely strong gusty winds. He landed heavily with drift, damaging the aircraft.
13/12/1942LancasterW41281660HCUScamptonAirborne from Swinderby at 1120hrs for dual circuit training. At 1200hrs the pupil pilot bounced the aircraft on touchdown. The instructor pilot raised the undercarriage after the pupil opened the throttles to go around. Unfortunately the aircraft sank back towards the runway and the port mainwheel was torn off. The pilots kept the aircraft under control and made a wheels-up landing at Scampton. No injuries were reported to pilot F/Sgt DG Stewart (New Zealander) or his crew.
13/12/1942SpitfireAB283411sqnThornton-Le-FenThis aircraft was destroyed in the course of a low-level fighter affiliation exercise with 3 Lancasters from RAF Coningsby. The Spitfire caught the slipstream from one of the aircraft, causing the pilot to lose control briefly, and the aircraft dived into the ground, crashing at 1450hrs. Pilot F/Sgt JD Barbour (Canadian) was killed.
14/12/1942StirlingBZ41090 SqnBottesfordThis stationary Stirling was struck by a steamroller. The driver of the vehicle was struggling with the maneuverability of the roller in a confined space.
14/12/1942AiracobraBX386F P P USAGoxhill2/Lt Edwin W Fuller was attempting to land at Goxhill but his undercarriage became locked half way down, forcing the pilot to belly-land on the airfield. The aircraft needed to be taken off site to be repaired.
15/12/1942OxfordV415412(P)AFUHarlaxtonThis aircraft was damaged when the undercarriage collapsed in a heavy landing. Pilot Sgt Nichol was unhurt.
15/12/1942SpitfireAD269303sqnNormanby-le-WoldThis aircraftwas destroyed when it crashed into a field after the pilot became lost in bad weather and lost control after running low on fuel. Pilot P/O R Stankiewicz was killed.
17/12/1942WellingtonR160314OTUHarlaxtonAirborne at 2310hrs from Cottesmore for night flying. The aircraft force-landed at 0100hrs on Harlaxton airfield after engine structural failure (cylinder bracing struts failed). No injuries recorded, no crew names and the incident does not appear in 14OTU records.
17/12/1942LysanderV9496CGSSutton BridgeThis aircraft was damaged when the undercarriage collapsed after the aircraft bounced after striking a ridge in the airfield surface in a heavy landing at 1140hrs. Pilot Sgt Giles, on his first solo on type, was slightly injured but returned to duty the next day.
17/12/1942MasterW9056CGSSutton BridgeThis aircraft was damaged when it crash-landed on the airfield due to a technical defect with the undercarriage. Pilots Lt McKelvey (American) and F/Lt GEF Dieu were unhurt.
17/12/1942LancasterL75771660CUSwinderbyThis aircraft was damaged at 0030hrs when the pilot attempted to make a fast turn off the runway onto the peritrack after landing. The brakes were ineffective and failed to slow the aircraft sufficiently, resulting in the undercarriage collapsing. Pilot Sgt DA Montgomery (Canadian) and his crew were unhurt.
17/12/1942LancasterR55071660CUSwinderbyThis aircraft was damaged at 1945hrs when a tyre burst on landing, causing the aircraft to swing and the undercarriage to collapse. Pilot Sgt McGrath and his crew were uninjured.
18/12/1942StirlingBK62890 SqnBottesfordF/Sgt McGavin was killed when he was working on the aircraft on the ground. The aircraft was parked on the dispersal when the undercarriage collapsed. An electrical fault with the undercarriage was later found to be the cause of the incident.
18/12/1942OxfordBG18114PAFUNorton DisneySgt I M Thompson abandoned his Oxford at 09:00 after a nearly five hour cross country flight. He became low on fuel when he could not find a suitable landing area, all of the aerodromes in the vicinity were fog bound leaving him with no choice but to abandon the aircraft. the aircraft was written off.
19/12/1942BeaufighterX8252409sqnColeby GrangeThis aircraft was damaged on landing from a night-flying test at 1630hrs when the aircraft swung, tearing off the undercarriage after the pilot made a heavy landing due to forward vision being obscured by rain on the windscreen. Pilot P/O LC Ripley and his unnamed navigator were unhurt.
19/12/1942WellingtonZ1393305sqnHemswellCoded SR-W, this aircraft was damaged at 1732hrs on return from an air-test ahead of operations. The pilot overshot on landing on wet grass when the brakes failed to hold on wet grass and he was forced to retract the undercarriage at the end of the runway, but this did not prevent the aircraft from striking the airfield boundary. The pilot's vision was obscured by rain on the windscreen. Pilot P/O F Krawczyk (Polish) and his crew were uninjured.
19/12/1942WellingtonZ87083OTUin the sea off SkegnessThis aircraft took off at 2200hrs on a training flight and was later reported as flying low (60 feet) over HMS Royal Arthur (Butlins holiday camp) heading due east with a blue flame showing in the cockpit. The aircraft crashed into the sea approximately 50 yards offshore. A searchlight was shone on the area and the lifeboat was launched, but no trace of the accident could be seen. Two bodies were washed ashore nearby with some wreckage in the days that followed, Sgt Barling on 21/Dec/42 and Sgt Reardon on 2/Jan/43. Pilot F/O FH Angell (New Zealander) killed, Sgt RH Bedell (Canadian) killed, Sgt AM Giles killed, Sgt SC Reardon (Australian) killed, Sgt FC Kearney (Australian) killed, Sgt SR Barling (Australian) killed.
19/12/1942LancasterR58621660CUSwinderbyThis aircraft was damaged at 1830hrs when it was struck whilst statioanry by landing Lancaster W4272. Pilot Sgt C Murray and his crew were unhurt.
19/12/1942LancasterW42721660CUSwinderbyThis aircraft was damaged at 1830hrs when it struck stationary Lancaster R5862 which was waiting to turn on to the flarepath to take off. Pilot F/Sgt IA Woodward (New Zealander) and his crew were unhurt.
20/12/1942LancasterW41829sqnBracebridge HeathCoded WS-B. Airborne at 1815hrs from Waddington for Duisburg. Whilst circling the airfield as the squadrong formed up, the aircraft was destroyed when it collided in the circuit with a 44 Squadron Lancaster (W4259), both aircraft falling out of control into Canwick Road, Bracebridge Heath 2 miles S of Lincoln. Sgt L.C.Hazell killed, Sgt E.A.Gardiner killed, Sgt W.T.Miller killed, Sgt H.T Hatley killed, Sgt C.H.S.Brooks killed, Sgt E.F.Sharples killed, Sgt E.W.Walker killed.
20/12/1942LancasterW425944sqnBracebridge HeathCoded KM-P. This aircraft was destroyed when it collided in mid-air with 9 Squadron Lancaster W4182. It had departed Waddington at 1753hrs for Duisburg, and the collision occurred as both squadrons were circling the airfield forming up before departing. Both aircraft fell out of control into Canwick road, Bracebridge Heath, 2 miles S of Lincoln. F/Sgt A.C.Elgar killed, Sgt G.D.McCready (Canadian) killed, P/O V.N.Giri killed, Sgt A.J.Easton killed, Sgt R.I.Gunter killed, Sgt C.Harmston killed, Sgt E.Jackson killed.
20/12/1942SpitfireBM535411sqnDigbyThis aircraft was damaged on return from a training flight at night. The pilot landed too close to a runway flare, tried to swing the aircraft to prevent hitting it, but struck the flare and damaged the tail unit. Pilot Sgt Norris (Canadian) was unhurt.
20/12/1942OxfordV416012(P)AFUHarlaxtonThis aircraft was damaged when the starboard undercarriage collapsed as a result of a heavy landing. Pilot P/O Sidford was uninjured.
20/12/1942WellingtonBK180150sqnKirmingtonCoded JN-? Crashed at 1530hrs whilst the pilot was attempting to overshoot and go round for another approach after misjudging his first due to crosswinds. Sgt P.R. Hall injured, Sgt Elliott injured, Sgt Barnes injured, Sgts Rogers & Peacock unhurt.
20/12/1942SpitfireP8663CGSSutton BridgeThis aircraft was damaged when the port undercarriage leg collapsed due to a heavy landing. Pilot F/O CA King was unhurt.
21/12/1942BeaufighterT3348236sqnNorth CoatesThis aircraft was damaged when the tailwheel collapsed after striking a raised edge on the intersecting runway whilst landing from an air firing exercise at 1200hrs. Continuous heavy rain had made the landing strip surface soft, and the track was raised slightly above the level of the surrounding ground. Pilot S/Ldr WEL Lewis and his crew were unhurt.
22/12/1942MasterDL112RAFCBarkston HeathThis aircraft was wrecked when it crashed after stalling during a forced landing following engine failure in flight caused by fuel exhaustion. Instructor Sgt GA Benson and pupil LAC GD Paterson were both killed.
22/12/1942MasterDL959RAFCnr DigbyThis aircraft was damaged when it landed wheels-up near the airfield after engine failure in flight. Pilot LAC SAN Peiris (Sinhalese) was unhurt.
22/12/1942LancasterED38557sqnScamptonThis aircraft was damaged on return from a cross-country training sortie at 2238hrs. The pilot made a heavy three-point landing, during which the starboard undercarriage collapsed. Pilot F/O JF Greenan (Canadian) and his crew were uninjured apart from one unnamed member who sustained a minor injury.
23/12/1942BlenheimL128912(P)AFUHarlaxtonThis aircraft was destroyed when it collided with Blenheim L8721, crashed and caught fire whilst both aircraft were taking off on slightly different paths. Pilot Lt Y Bahatten (Turkish) was unhurt.
23/12/1942BlenheimL872112(P)AFUHarlaxtonThis aircraft was damaged beyond repair when it crash-landed after colliding with Blenheim L1289 whilst both aircraft were taking off on slightly different paths. Pilot S Hilmi (Turkish) was slightly injured.
23/12/1942OxfordW664612(P)AFUHarlaxtonThis aircraft was damaged as a result of a heavy landing. The unnamed crew were unhurt.
23/12/1942OxfordX723912(P)AFUHarlaxtonThis aircraft was damaged when it struck sheep whilst making a crash-landing on the airfield following failure of the starboard engine in flight. Pilots P/O Parker and P/O Hammond were unhurt.
24/12/1942OxfordX7251RAFCCranwellThis aircraft was damaged when it ran off the runway after landing with slight drift. It bounced to port and swung. Pilot LAC Thompson was unhurt.
24/12/1942BeaufighterV8147143sqnDonna NookWhilst on return from an operational sortie and flying near the airfield, the pilot was forced to take sudden evasion action at low level to avoid a flock of birds at 1245hrs. The port propellor struck the sea, causing the engine to cut out and damaging the propellor blades. Pilot Sgt JGW Foster and navigator Sgt BI Curnuck were unhurt.
28/12/1942LancasterR554897sqnWoodhall SpaCoded OF-A. Burnt out on the ground at Woodhall spa following ignition of a photo-flash flare at 1640hrs. One member of the groundcrew, AC2 AC Taylor, was critically injured in the incident, sustaining multiple fractures, and died in the ambulance on the way to RAF Coningsby.
29/12/1942P-38 Lightning43-207882FS/78FGGoxhillDamaged (cat 4) in a landing accident, pilot Stephan L White
31/12/1942OxfordAT7671514 BAT FLTConingsbyThis aircraft was damaged when it landed with undercarriage retracted on the airfield after failure of an engine in flight and the aircraft's inability to maintain height on one engine. Pilots W/O Norton and Sgt Hanavan were unhurt.
31/12/1942BeaufighterX8192409sqnCorringhamThis aircraft was destroyed when Beaufighter EL184 collided with it in mid-air whilst both were participating in a Bomber Command 'Bullseye' exercise, slicing off the tail unit and removing a large section of the starboard wing. The aircraft crashed on open ground near Corringham cemetery. Pilot P/O H Brooks (Canadian) and Observer P/O WB Mosley were both killed. P/O Bill Mosley had been married for just over 2 months when he was killed, his wedding is mentioned in the Digby ORB on 28th October 1942.
31/12/1942SpitfireEP235167sqnin the WashThis aircraft was destroyed when it collided with Spitfire EP289 during dummy attacks on B-17s over the wash. Pilot F/O JKA Pickering was killed in the incident. Date of the accident confirmed as 31/12/42 by CWGC and Squadron ORB entries.
31/12/1942SpitfireEP289167sqnin the WashThis aircraft was destroyed when it collided with Spitfire EP235 during dummy attacks on B-17s over the wash. Pilot P/O PF Franklin was killed in the incident. Date of the accident confirmed as 31/12/42 by CWGC and Squadron ORB entries.
31/12/1942BeaufighterEL184409sqnNoel St, GainsboroughThis aircraft was destroyed at 1853hrs when it crashed into houses in Noel St, Gainsborough after colliding in mid-air with Beaufighter X8192 whilst both were participating in a Bomber Command 'Bullseye' exercise. The aircraft set fire to numbers 2,4 & 6 Noel St, injuring several civilians and killing a 3-year-old girl, Margaret Ann Eames. 20 other houses were damaged as a result of this aircraft's crash. Pilot WO2 BH Barber (Canadian) killed, Observer WO1 H Hare (Canadian) killed.