What happened
During a low-level navigation and formation training mission over Scotland, three aircraft from the 70th Squadron, RAF Lyneham, were conducting various exercises. The aircraft with registration XV193 was performing a simulated cargo drop into a designated zone in Glen Tilt, located approximately eight miles north of Pitlochry. Following the completion of the simulated drop, the aircraft began a turn to the north to exit the area.
While executing this turn, the crew encountered a rocky outcrop that necessitated a continued left-hand turn to avoid the obstacle. In an attempt to navigate back to the original flight path, the crew decided to reverse the turn to enter the narrow Glen Loch valley. While performing this maneuver at a low altitude and low airspeed, the Lockheed Hercules experienced an aerodynamic stall. The aircraft subsequently struck the moorland in Glen Loch, east of Glen Tilt, near Loch Loch. The impact resulted in nine fatalities, with no survivors among the crew.
Findings
- The aircraft was operating at a low altitude and low airspeed during a complex maneuvering sequence.
- The aircraft entered a stall while attempting to reposition into the Glen Loch valley after avoiding terrain.