Investigation Summary
The flight was a combined pilot/navigation exercise and transport mission for a rugby match between RAF Thorney Island and another station. While the outward leg was uneventful, the return flight carried 17 people (4 crew and 13 passengers) despite the aircraft only having 16 passenger seats. The 17th occupant, Pilot Officer Patrick Cliff (who later achieved the rank of Wing Commander), survived by being in the rear toilet compartment at the moment of impact, which was the only section of the fuselage to remain relatively intact. The aircraft struck a tree approximately five miles north of the airfield while in a gentle turn to port. The impact tore both Bristol Hercules engines from the wings, and the fuselage traveled another 100 yards through dense woodland. Rescue efforts were severely hampered by a cold north wind, ice, snow, and narrow access roads, taking emergency services thirty minutes to locate the wreckage. Although the aircraft was slightly over its seating capacity, the Air Ministry determined the weight remained within permissible limits and did not contribute to the accident. There is a minor discrepancy in records regarding the match location: while the team was collected at Bovingdon, some sources suggest the match was played at RAF Halton, while a contemporary newsreel claimed it was held at Bovingdon.
Final Conclusions
The Royal Air Force Court of Inquiry and the coroner's inquest were unable to establish a definitive mechanical or structural cause for the crash. The engines were found to be functioning normally prior to impact. The investigation concluded that the most probable cause was the pilot's decision to fly at an extremely low altitude to maintain ground visibility during snow showers, leading to an accidental collision with terrain. The coroner noted that for some reason height was lost: no one knows why, and no one will ever know. The presence of an extra passenger and the weather conditions at takeoff were officially ruled out as primary causes, though the coroner noted that certain pre-flight procedures were not followed.
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Airframe & Maintenance
Systems & Failure Modes
Bristol Hercules Engines
The twin radial engines were found by investigators to have been functioning correctly with no evidence of mechanical failure prior to the impact.
Fuselage Structure
The aircraft was destroyed upon impact except for the extreme rear section, which allowed for one survivor.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft was carrying 17 people but only had 16 passenger seats installed.
- 02The sole survivor, Pilot Officer Patrick Cliff, was in the rear toilet at the time of the crash.
- 03The pilot had not participated in the rugby match, but the other three crew members had played.
- 04The crash site was near the location of a previous Boeing B-17 crash from World War II.
- 05The ground temperature was above freezing, leading investigators to rule out wing icing as a factor.
- 06The aircraft's Manufacturer Serial Number (MSN) was 599.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Court of Inquiry Confidentiality
The Air Ministry defended the policy of keeping Court of Inquiry findings confidential to ensure witnesses could provide evidence without restraint, though factual summaries were provided to relatives.