What happened
The aircraft was conducting a circular test flight at RAF Warton following refurbishment. After an uneventful portion of the flight, the crew initiated an approach to runway 08 and received landing authorization. At that moment, weather conditions rapidly deteriorated, with low clouds descending to 120 meters above ground level, heavy rainfall, and wind gusts reaching 25 knots.
From a height of approximately one dozen feet, the aircraft lost control. It banked sharply to the left until its wings were nearly vertical before impacting the ground in a massive explosion within the village of Freckleton. The crash site struck several residential houses, a school, and a cafe. All three crew members perished, along with 58 individuals on the ground. The fatalities included 38 children and two teachers at the school, as well as 18 people in the cafe: seven US officers, four British officers, and seven civilians.
Findings
The official investigation concluded that the exact cause of the crash could not be definitively determined due to the complete destruction of the airframe. However, it was established that the pilot had not fully appreciated the severity of the storm until the final approach phase. By that time, the aircraft lacked sufficient altitude and speed to maneuver effectively against the probable strength of the winds and downdrafts.
While a structural failure under extreme conditions was not ruled out, the report highlighted a common misconception among pilots arriving in the UK that British storms were minor showers. Consequently, authorities recommended emphatic warnings be issued to all US-trained pilots regarding the dangers of British thunderstorms.