4 fatalities

RAF Coningsby Mine Layer Shot Down Over Sylt Island (P4323)

Sylt Island, GermanyFlight

On February 24, 1942, a Handley Page H.P.52 Hampden (registration P4323) operated by Royal Air Force - RAF was involved in an aviation accident near Sylt Island, Germany in flight. 4 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft was shot down by German anti-aircraft fire during a nighttime approach to the coast. 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)Primary reportUpdated 2026-08-05Data APIEditorial standards

A military aircraft conducting a mine-laying mission was hit by anti-aircraft fire while approaching the German coast at night, resulting in a crash on Sylt Island and the deaths of all four crew members.

What happened

The aircraft departed from RAF Coningsby to execute a scheduled mine-laying operation. During the approach to the German coastline under nighttime conditions, the plane came under attack from ground-based defenses. The machine was struck by German Flak fire and subsequently crashed onto Sylt Island. All four individuals on board perished in the incident.

Findings

Official investigations concluded that the loss of the aircraft was directly attributable to enemy anti-aircraft fire. The crew consisted of a pilot, an observer, a wireless operator, and an air gunner, all of whom were killed when the plane went down.

Probable cause

The aircraft was shot down by German anti-aircraft fire during a nighttime approach to the coast.