Consolidated B-24 Liberator accident at Talbenny AFB, United Kingdom, 29 Jan 1943 (AM913)
On January 29, 1943, a Consolidated B-24 Liberator (registration AM913) operated by Royal Air Force - RAF was involved in an aviation accident near Talbenny AFB, United Kingdom during landing or approach. 11 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Intense fire in the n°4 engine nacelle. Since the entire assembly parted with A/C and fell into the sea, the exact origin of the fire could not be ascertained. It was probably located between the engine back plate and the oil tank bulkhead. 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.
Probable cause
Intense fire in the n°4 engine nacelle. Since the entire assembly parted with A/C and fell into the sea, the exact origin of the fire could not be ascertained. It was probably located between the engine back plate and the oil tank bulkhead.
— NTSB Determination
Accident narrative
The airplane departed Casablanca on a flight to RAF Talbenny with an intermediate stop at RAF Gibraltar-North Front. While descending to the destination airport, the engine n°4 caught fire. The fire was intense, causing the engine to detach and to fall into the sea. Shortly later, the engine n°3 failed. On final approach, control was lost and the airplane crashed on a hill located near the airbase. A crew member and 10 passengers were killed while 8 other occupants were injured. The airplane was destroyed. Crew: F/O Kenneth Charles Robert Maskell, copilot +3 Passengers: Br Vivian Dykes, Br Guy Milton Stewart.
Probable cause (official findings): Intense fire in the n°4 engine nacelle. Since the entire assembly parted with A/C and fell into the sea, the exact origin of the fire could not be ascertained. It was probably located between the engine back plate and the oil tank bulkhead.