What happened
The incident occurred while the crew was conducting a coastal patrol mission originating from RAF Detling. During the operation, the aircraft was flying along the Kent coast when it encountered poor weather conditions. At this stage, one of the engines failed. The crew decided to attempt a return to their base at RAF Detling but subsequently lost control of the aircraft.
The plane crashed into a pasture located near Benenden. Of the four individuals on board, one crew member managed to bail out and survived the accident. The remaining three members were killed in the impact.
Findings
Official investigations identified engine failure in flight as the primary cause of the accident. The combination of mechanical failure and adverse weather conditions contributed to the loss of control that led to the crash.