What happened
A scheduled service traveling from RAF Northolt to Glasgow-Renfrew experienced a critical malfunction shortly after departure at 15:38 local time. While the aircraft was climbing through 500 feet, the crew identified technical difficulties involving the right engine, which subsequently failed and had its propeller feathered. Following this failure, the pilot requested and received permission from ground control to perform an emergency landing.
During the descent toward runway 26, the aircraft was operating solely on its left engine with the landing gear extended. During this phase of flight, the plane lost altitude and struck trees before crashing into a fire in the Mill Hill area, located approximately nine miles northeast of the departure airfield. The impact and subsequent post-crash fire resulted in 29 fatalities and one serious injury.
Findings
The primary factor identified in the accident was the failure of the master rod bearings within the starboard engine, a mechanical issue that investigators determined could not have been prevented through standard maintenance or increased vigilance.
Several secondary contributing factors were noted during the investigation:
- The crew did not attempt an immediate visual landing immediately after the engine failure occurred.
- There was a failure to utilize the Standard Beam Approach (SBA) despite the equipment being onboard.
- The pilot failed to retract the undercarriage while flying away from the airport, which impacted the aircraft's performance.
- Ignition issues occurred in the port engine due to lead deposits on the spark plugs, reducing power output.
- The necessity of performing extreme control maneuvers to avoid the steeple of Harrow-on-the-Hill Church and nearby high terrain while operating with minimal power reserves.