9 fatalities

Aircraft on Anti-submarine Exercise Strikes Mountain in Scotland, Killing Nine (WX545)

Campbeltown, United KingdomFlight

On October 10, 1956, a Lockheed P-2 Neptune (registration WX545) operated by Royal Air Force - RAF was involved in an aviation accident near Campbeltown, United Kingdom in flight. 9 people were killed. 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 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

During a night anti-submarine exercise from RAF Ballykelly, an aircraft struck Mount Beinn na Lice near Mull of Kintyre, disintegrating and killing all nine crew members.

Incident

On a night anti-submarine exercise originating from RAF Ballykelly, an aircraft was cruising in limited visibility when it struck the slope of Mount Beinn na Lice, located one mile northeast of the Mull of Kintyre Lighthouse. The impact caused the aircraft to disintegrate, resulting in the deaths of all nine crew members.

Crew

The following Royal Air Force personnel from 36 Squadron were aboard:

  • F/Lt Geoffrey Finding (pilot)
  • F/O James Alexander Campbell (copilot)
  • F/O Gilbert Rishton (navigator)
  • Sgt Cyril Armstrong (flight engineer)
  • F/Sgt Raymond Fox (radio operator)
  • F/Sgt Ronald Mark Noble (air signaler)
  • Sgt Eric Honey (air signaler)
  • Sgt Bernard Edward Lynn (air signaler)
  • Sgt Roy Vincent Smith (air signaler)

Aftermath

The aircraft was destroyed upon impact. No further details are available from the source.