What happened
During a scheduled training operation departing from RAF Upper Heyford, an aircraft experienced a sudden loss of control. While flying en route, the plane entered a dive and struck the ground in a field situated approximately two miles west of Great Dunmow. The force of the impact caused the airframe to disintegrate.
All 11 crew members on board perished in the accident. Following the crash, the presence of ammunition on board led to secondary explosions that continued for several hours, which significantly obstructed the efforts of emergency responders at the scene.
Findings
Investigators identified that severe gale-force winds likely contributed to the pilot losing control of the aircraft. Additionally, authorities noted that it could not be ruled out that the pilot-in-command experienced a loss of spatial orientation during the flight.