Investigation Summary
The aircraft, based at RAF Colerne in Wiltshire, had flown to RAF Abingdon earlier that day to pick up paratroopers for a training exercise. The mission was to drop the personnel over RAF Weston-on-the-Green before proceeding to land at RAF Benson. Shortly after departing RAF Abingdon at approximately 16:00, the pilot reported control difficulties via radio and requested an emergency return to the airbase. Although clearance was granted and the crew began a circuit to return to RAF Abingdon, the aircraft became uncontrollable. Eyewitnesses observed the aircraft weaving and its tail wobbling before it entered a near-vertical climb to approximately 2,000 feet. The aircraft then stalled, dropped a wing, and dived vertically into a barley field known as Hundred Acres at Little Baldon. The impact was inverted and followed by an intense post-crash fire. Investigation revealed that two upper bolts in the elevator control system had failed due to metal fatigue. This failure transferred excessive loads to the remaining lower bolts, which also failed, leading to a total loss of pitch control.
Final Conclusions
The accident was caused by the catastrophic failure of the elevator control mechanism. Metal fatigue in two critical bolts led to a progressive failure of the entire elevator bracket assembly. Although the aircraft had flown 2,400 hours since its last refurbishment, which was considered within normal limits, the fatigue went undetected until the structural failure occurred in flight.
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Airframe & Maintenance
Systems & Failure Modes
Elevator Control System
The system responsible for controlling the aircraft's pitch; failure of the mounting bolts led to loss of control.
Elevator Bracket Bolts
Four bolts securing the elevator bracket; two failed due to fatigue, causing the remaining two to fail under stress.
Interesting Facts
- 01The accident remains one of the deadliest involving the Handley Page Hastings.
- 02The passengers included 24 RAF personnel and 11 Army members, including recruits and instructors.
- 03The aircraft hit the ground on its back (inverted) at a field called Hundred Acres.
- 04The pilot, Flight Lieutenant John Akin, was originally from Headington but was living in Bathford, Somerset, at the time of the accident.
- 05The primary investigation was conducted by a five-member Royal Air Force Board of Inquiry, with technical assistance provided by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB).
Safety Actions & Advisories
Maintenance Inspection Review
Following the inquest, the jury and authorities emphasized the need for more stringent precautions and inspections to detect metal fatigue in critical control components.