What happened
During final approach to RAF Cranfield, a twin-engine aircraft collided with an RAF Bristol Beaufighter registered R2252. The Beaufighter was carrying a crew of three at the time of the incident. Following the mid-air collision, both aircraft lost control and dove into the ground. They crashed in flames in a field located a few hundred yards short of the runway threshold. All eight occupants across both aircraft were killed in the accident.
The DH.89 Dominie I was carrying five personnel: one pilot and four passengers. The Beaufighter carried three crew members, including two pilots and one other airman. No survivors were reported from either aircraft.