Consolidated LB-30 Liberator accident at Marston Moor AFB, United Kingdom, 5 Aug 1942 (AL588)
On August 5, 1942, a Consolidated LB-30 Liberator (registration AL588) operated by Royal Air Force - RAF was involved in an aviation accident near Marston Moor AFB, United Kingdom during takeoff. 10 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Loss of control in initial climb caused by the failure of the tail section, maybe due to a structural issue. 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
Loss of control in initial climb caused by the failure of the tail section, maybe due to a structural issue.
— NTSB Determination
Accident narrative
The crew was engaged in an air gunnery training exercise with a RAF Spitfire. Shortly after takeoff from RAF Marston Moor, while climbing, the captain initiated a sharp turn when he lost control of the airplane that dove into the ground and crashed in a huge explosion in a field located about 800 metres from the airbase. The airplane was destroyed and all 10 crew members were killed. Crew (1653 HCU): F/Sgt Bryn Williams, pilot, Sgt Alan Francis Bell, pilot, P/O Thomas Henry Jones, air gunner, Sgt Wilfred Anthony Kup, observer, Sgt Edward Thorley, wireless operator and air gunner, Sgt Sidney Sampson, wireless operator and air gunner, Sgt Edward Albert Smith, air gunner, Sgt Kenneth Caselton, air gunner, Sgt William Henry Charles Booth, air gunner. Sgt Douglas Arnold Wood.
Probable cause (official findings): Loss of control in initial climb caused by the failure of the tail section, maybe due to a structural issue.