What happened
On 14 September 1945, a Royal Air Force transport aircraft was en route from RAF Tarrant Rushton to the Azores Islands. The flight carried a crew of seven and fourteen passengers, totaling twenty-one individuals on board. While overflying Cornwall, the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of control. The plane dived steeply into the ground, impacting a prairie area. All occupants were killed in the crash.
Findings
Investigation determined that an electrical failure triggered the unintended activation of the dinghy inflation valve. This caused the emergency dinghy to inflate and eject from its stowage location within the wing. The deployed equipment fouled the tailplane assembly, which restricted the movement of the elevators. Consequently, the pilot was unable to maintain control, leading to the fatal dive. Authorities noted that this incident closely resembled a previously reported accident involving similar mechanical interference.