No fatalities

Aircraft crash at RAF Harlaxton following engine failure (V5757)

Harlaxton AFB, United KingdomTakeoff (climb)

On February 6, 1943, a Bristol 142 Blenheim (registration V5757) operated by Royal Air Force - RAF was involved in an aviation accident near Harlaxton AFB, United Kingdom during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Fuel starvation caused the right engine to fail immediately after takeoff, leading to a stall and subsequent crash. 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 crashed onto the runway shortly after takeoff from RAF Harlaxton when the right engine failed, resulting in injuries to the pilot and total loss of the airframe.

What happened

The incident occurred immediately after departure from RAF Harlaxton. While the aircraft was in the initial climb phase, reaching an altitude of approximately 50 feet, the right-hand engine ceased functioning. This mechanical failure led to a stall, causing the airplane to descend and impact the runway surface. The collision resulted in damage that rendered the airframe beyond repair. The pilot, identified as a Turkish national, sustained injuries during the accident.

Findings

The official investigation determined that the immediate cause of the event was the loss of power from the right engine shortly after liftoff. This failure was attributed to fuel starvation.

Probable cause

Fuel starvation caused the right engine to fail immediately after takeoff, leading to a stall and subsequent crash.