Narrative:The Hastings was dropping supplies near a scientific camp in Northern Greenland. After twelve successful paradrops, the aircraft positioned for free drops from a height of just 50 feet. The first drop was uneventful, but during the second drop, at a speed of 125 kts, the aircraft entered a white-out condition and one of the wings hit the ground. The airplane crash-landed at position 78.07 N, 38.10 W.
Three injured were air-lifted by a Grumman Albatross; the remaining nine survivors were rescued later.
Classification:
Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) - Ground
Sources:
» Broken Wings : Post-War Royal Air Force Accidents / James J. Halley
»
Hastings Bangs and Prangs and Splashes and Crashes» Last take-off : a record of RAF aircraft losses 1950 to 1953 / C. Cummings
» The Winnipeg Evening Tribune 26 September 1952, p1
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This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.