Consolidated LB-30 Liberator accident at Heathfield AFB (Prestwick), United Kingdom, 14 Aug 1941 (AM260)
On August 14, 1941, a Consolidated LB-30 Liberator (registration AM260) operated by Royal Air Force - RAF was involved in an aviation accident near Heathfield AFB (Prestwick), United Kingdom during takeoff. 22 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot-in-command started the takeoff procedure from runway 06 which was too short for such type of airplane. 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
The pilot-in-command started the takeoff procedure from runway 06 which was too short for such type of airplane.
— NTSB Determination
Accident narrative
The pilot started the take off procedure from runway 06. The aircraft failed to rotate, overran and impacted an embankment, bounced then crashed in a huge explosion on a second embankment. All 22 occupants were killed. Crew (BOAC & ATA): Cpt Richard Charles Stafford, pilot, F/O Earl Wellington Watson, Richard Coates, radio officer, Roland Folford Davis, flight engineer. Passengers: F/O Elbert Beard Anding, Joseph Culbert, radio officer, Cpt Murray Benjamin Dilley Jr., pilot, Robert Arnold Duncan, radio officer, Cpt Alton Chester Earle, pilot, Wesley Francis J. Goddard, radio officer, Cpt Edward Hamel, pilot, Donald Norman Hannant, radio officer, Cpt Gerald Hull, pilot, Cpt John Joseph Kerwin, pilot, Philip Francis Lee, first officer, Glenwood McKay, radio officer, John Joseph MacDonald, radio officer, Cpt James John Moffat, pilot, Mr. Arthur Blakie Purvis (civilian), Albert Tamblin, radio officer, Walter Lee Trimble, first officer, Martin Joseph Wetzel, first officer. Source and photos: http://www.aircrashsites-scotland.co.uk/liberator_lb-30a_heathfield.htm
Probable cause (official findings): The pilot-in-command started the takeoff procedure from runway 06 which was too short for such type of airplane.