What happened
The incident took place while both aircraft were conducting local training exercises in the vicinity of RAF Middleton St George. The two planes were flying at an altitude of approximately 2,000 feet, positioned just below the cloud base. During this phase of flight, the twin-engine trainer and the Halifax (registered W7661) unexpectedly found themselves on converging courses.
The pilot of the smaller aircraft attempted to maneuver by diving beneath the Halifax to avoid a collision. However, the tail assembly of the trainer struck the Halifax during this evasive action. The impact caused both aircraft to lose control and descend rapidly into the ground near the airfield.
Findings
The crash resulted in eight fatalities, comprising all crew members from both airplanes. The source material identifies the pilots involved as Sgt Frank Raymond Magson and Sgt John Charles William Sealey, though specific roles beyond their pilot status are not detailed in the provided text. The primary contributing factor was the failure to maintain safe separation between the two aircraft while operating in close proximity during training maneuvers.