8 fatalities

131st OTU aircraft crash in Ballinamallard, Northern Ireland (AH551)

Ballinamallard, United KingdomFlight

On October 16, 1943, a Consolidated PBY Catalina (registration AH551) operated by Royal Air Force - RAF was involved in an aviation accident near Ballinamallard, United Kingdom in flight. 8 people were killed. 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.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-08-25Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft operated by the 131st Operational Training Unit crashed into a hill near Enniskillen, resulting in eight fatalities and two injuries among the crew.

What happened

The incident occurred when an aircraft descended onto a hill situated in Ballinamallard, located to the northeast of Enniskillen in Northern Ireland. The specific circumstances leading to the crash remain unknown based on available records. During the event, the aircraft impacted the terrain, resulting in significant casualties among those on board.

The crew consisted of members from the 131st Operational Training Unit. Tragically, eight individuals lost their lives in the accident. In addition to the fatalities, two other crew members sustained injuries. The source material does not specify a registration number for the aircraft involved, nor does it provide details on the specific make or model beyond its association with the training unit.

Findings

No official investigation findings or probable cause statements are provided in the source text. The record simply notes that the crash happened in unknown circumstances, leaving the technical or human factors behind the event undocumented in this summary.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 16 Oct 1943 Consolidated PBY Catalina accident near Ballinamallard, United Kingdom?

An aircraft operated by the 131st Operational Training Unit crashed into a hill near Enniskillen, resulting in eight fatalities and two injuries among the crew.

Were there any fatalities in the 16 Oct 1943 Consolidated PBY Catalina accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 8 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 16 Oct 1943 involved a Consolidated PBY Catalina, registration AH551, operated by Royal Air Force - RAF, at Ballinamallard, United Kingdom.