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Bulwell Common, near Hucknall, Nottinghamshire -
United Kingdom
Phase:
Approach
Nature:
Test
Departure airport:
Hucknall, Nottinghamshire [EGNA]
Destination airport:
Hucknall, Nottinghamshire [EGNA]
Confidence Rating:
Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources
Narrative: EE Canberra B.Mk.1 VN850: Fourth Prototype Canberra, First flown at Samlesbury, Lancashire 20 December 1949, piloted by J W C Squier.
On 13 June 1951, English Electric Canberra B.1, VN850, bailed to Rolls-Royce in October 1950 for Avon engine tests, crashed on approach to Hucknall with engine fire, coming down just outside field perimeter, killing 29-year-old Rolls-Royce test pilot Richard B. Peach.
Part of 100 hour intensive flying trials on Avon RA7 engines, the starboard engine fitted with high energy ignition. One hour and 22 minutes after take off the pilot advised that the port engine was out and be was unable to re light.
He was cleared for a direct approach to the runway. At about 250ft on finals the aircraft was seen to drop the port wing, the nose then went down, the aircraft turned 45 degrees to port and the undercarriage was retracted but the flaps stayed down.
Climbing slightly and turning slowly to port the aircraft crossed the airfield before dropping the port wing again and the aircraft dived into the St.Alban's railway sidings at Bulwell Common railway station, Nottingham.
The speed had been allowed to become too low on the approach by a pilot inexperienced on type (3.15hrs) and he was unable to use the full thrust of the starboard engine to recover the situation.
It is likely that retraction of the flaps caused the final wing drop and dive. This was the first fatal accident involving a Canberra