Consolidated LB-30 Liberator accident at Heathfield AFB (Prestwick), United Kingdom, 14 Aug 1941 (AM260)

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.