What happened
The incident occurred during a navigation reconnaissance exercise conducted on behalf of the School of General Reconnaissance, which was based at RAF Thorney Island in Sussex under the command of the 17th Group. The aircraft was operating over the English Channel alongside two other similar machines at an altitude of approximately 700 feet.
During the flight, the pilot initiated a turn when control of the aircraft was lost. The plane subsequently crashed into the sea. The two accompanying Short Sunderland aircraft circled the area for a period to search for wreckage or survivors, but no trace of the missing aircraft or its crew was located.
Findings
The source material does not provide specific technical findings or a formal investigation report regarding mechanical failure or environmental conditions. The event is recorded as a loss of control during a maneuver at low altitude, resulting in the immediate loss of the aircraft and all personnel on board.