On April 26, 1949, an Airspeed AS.10 Oxford (registration UB-331) operated by Myanmar Air Force - Tatmadaw Lei was involved in an aviation accident near Yangon, Myanmar during landing or approach. 3 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The unreleased bomb detonated upon landing, causing the aircraft to disintegrate and killing the crew. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A training aircraft was destroyed during a simulated bombing exercise when an unreleased bomb exploded upon landing, resulting in the deaths of all three crew members.
What happened
The incident occurred during a routine training sortie where the crew was conducting a simulation of a bombing attack. During the exercise, a bomb stored under one of the wings failed to release properly as intended. The aircraft continued its approach and touched down on the runway. Upon landing, the unreleased ordnance detonated. The force of the explosion caused the airframe to disintegrate completely. All three members of the crew were killed in the accident.
Findings
The official investigation determined that the immediate cause of the disaster was the explosion of the bomb at the moment of touchdown. The failure of the release mechanism during the simulated attack allowed the live munition to remain attached to the aircraft until it made contact with the ground.
Probable cause
The unreleased bomb detonated upon landing, causing the aircraft to disintegrate and killing the crew.
What happened in the 26 Apr 1949 Airspeed AS.10 Oxford accident near Yangon, Myanmar?
A training aircraft was destroyed during a simulated bombing exercise when an unreleased bomb exploded upon landing, resulting in the deaths of all three crew members.
Were there any fatalities in the 26 Apr 1949 Airspeed AS.10 Oxford accident?
The accident was fatal, resulting in 3 fatalities.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 26 Apr 1949 involved an Airspeed AS.10 Oxford, registration UB-331, operated by Myanmar Air Force - Tatmadaw Lei, at Yangon, Myanmar.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The unreleased bomb detonated upon landing, causing the aircraft to disintegrate and killing the crew.
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