Investigation Summary
The aircraft, a maritime patrol Liberator converted for transport use with wooden floors and benches, was operated by No. 311 (Czechoslovak) Squadron. Shortly after departing RAF Blackbushe at 12:45, a petrol pipe feeding the number 2 (port inner) engine ruptured due to chafing against an oil dilution valve. The escaping fuel ignited, likely from contact with the exhaust pipe conduit leading to the turbo supercharger. The resulting fire caused the fuel pipe to burn away, subsequently starving the number 1 (outer port) engine of fuel. With both port engines failing and the wing structure compromised by fire, the aircraft became uncontrollable. Evidence at the crash site indicated that the crew attempted to use the built-in CO2 fire extinguishers. However, the selector switch for the port engines was found in the 'off' position, while the starboard inner engine selector was active, suggesting the co-pilot selected the wrong engine in the emergency. The investigation also highlighted poor maintenance standards, noting that daily servicing requirements had been neglected.
Final Conclusions
The official investigation concluded the primary cause was a fire in the port inner engine resulting from a petrol escape due to a ruptured pipe between the carburetor and oil dilution valve. Contributing factors included the lack of fire detection systems, poor ergonomic access to the fire extinguisher control panel (which was partially obstructed by a hydraulic pump), and crew error in selecting the incorrect engine for fire suppression. The aircraft was also found to have been poorly maintained prior to the flight.
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Systems & Failure Modes
CO2 Fire Extinguishers
The aircraft was equipped with two non-automatic CO2 extinguishers controlled by a selector panel on the starboard side of the cockpit.
Fuel System
A petrol pipe feeding the port inner engine failed due to mechanical chafing, leading to a high-pressure fuel leak.
Fire Detection
The Consolidated Liberator GR Mk VI lacked built-in fire detection or warning devices to alert the crew to engine fires.
Interesting Facts
- 01The crash killed 23 people, including five children and the vice-chairman of the Czechoslovak Red Cross in London.
- 02A 23rd victim, Edita Sedláková, was a stowaway and the wife of the flight engineer; she was not on the official manifest.
- 03Debris, including burnt pieces of engine cowling, was found scattered up to half a mile before the main impact point.
- 04The aircraft was a B-24J-40-CF Liberator originally built for the USAAF (44-10372) before being diverted to the RAF.
- 05Following the accident, the Czechoslovak Government terminated the repatriation of nationals by air, switching to sea and rail transport.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Repatriation Policy Change
On 6 October 1945, the Czechoslovak Government suspended all repatriation of its nationals from the UK by air, moving to safer sea and rail routes via Ostend.
Location
ACCIDENT SITE · Coordinates taken from the wikidata coordinate.