What happened
While returning to RAF Waddington following the conclusion of a NATO-led military exercise designed to evaluate Western defenses along the East/West German border, an Avro Vulcan experienced significant mechanical issues. During the flight, the third engine suffered a failure. This malfunction was followed shortly by the shearing of propeller blades, which subsequently struck the fourth engine.
In response to the escalating situation, the crew initiated an emergency descent of 20,000 feet. The flight crew attempted to divert the aircraft to Amiens-Glisy Airfield to perform an emergency landing. However, the aircraft ultimately crash landed in a field situated near Amiens. Although the impact resulted in the aircraft being damaged beyond repair, there were no fatalities among the eight crew members on board.
Findings
- The sequence of events began with the failure of engine number three.
- Mechanical damage to the fourth engine occurred when sheared propeller blades struck it.
- The primary cause of the incident was an engine failure in flight.