13 fatalities

RAF Aircraft Crash into Peak District Slope (44-61999)

Glossop, United KingdomFlight

On November 3, 1948, a Boeing B-29 Superfortress (registration 44-61999) operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Glossop, United Kingdom in flight. 13 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft struck terrain due to reduced visibility caused by poor weather conditions during the en-route phase. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-08-05Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft departed RAF Scampton and struck a hillside near Glossop due to poor visibility, resulting in the destruction of the airframe and the deaths of all 13 people on board.

What happened

The flight originated from RAF Scampton in the morning, operating alongside two other similar aircraft. During the en-route phase, the crew faced deteriorating weather conditions that significantly reduced visibility. Unable to maintain safe separation or navigate effectively in these low-visibility circumstances, the aircraft collided with the slope of Mt Bleaklow Stones. This location is situated four miles northeast of Glossop within the Peak District National Park, at an elevation of 633 meters.

The impact forces destroyed the airframe, which was subsequently consumed by a post-crash fire. All 13 occupants perished in the accident. Among the wreckage, investigators recovered a sack containing £7,000 intended for personnel payroll at RAF Scampton; the bag remained intact despite the severity of the crash.

Probable cause

The aircraft struck terrain due to reduced visibility caused by poor weather conditions during the en-route phase.