Handley Page H.P.57 Halifax II accident at Saint Eval AFB, United Kingdom, 26 Mar 1943 (HR689)
On March 26, 1943, a Handley Page H.P.57 Halifax II (registration HR689) operated by Royal Air Force - RAF was involved in an aviation accident near Saint Eval AFB, United Kingdom during landing or approach. 14 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Investigation found that the airplane clipped the tail of a Boeing B-17 during initial climb, damaging its port outer air screw and engine. 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.
Probable cause
Investigation found that the airplane clipped the tail of a Boeing B-17 during initial climb, damaging its port outer air screw and engine.
— NTSB Determination
Accident narrative
The airplane departed RAF St Eval on a patrol mission with a crew of seven on board. Shortly after a night takeoff, the airplane struck an obstacle and became unstable. The pilot decided to return to base when, on final approach, the airplane stalled and crashed short of runway, hitting a USAF Boeing B-17 registered 42-29647. All seven crew members were killed as well as seven people on the ground (B-17 crew?). Crew: F/O Arthur Hodgson, pilot, Sgt Nathan Lubin, pilot, Sgt Harry Davey Vesey, flight engineer, F/O William Vernon Godwin Yeulett, navigator, Sgt Francis Harold Griffiths, wireless operator, P/O Stanley Alexander Christie, air gunner, W/O Garnett Eugene Taggart, air gunner. Those killed on the ground were: J. C. S. Arnold, G. W. Ball, P. Johnstone, G. W. Leadsom, N. Thompson, T. J. Williams, N. S. Youster.
Probable cause (official findings): Investigation found that the airplane clipped the tail of a Boeing B-17 during initial climb, damaging its port outer air screw and engine.