10 fatalities

Aircraft Stalls and Crashes After Crew Shuts Down Wrong Engine Following Failure (VW194)

Lyneham AFB, United KingdomTakeoff (climb)

On July 12, 1951, a Vickers Valetta (registration VW194) operated by Royal Air Force - RAF was involved in an aviation accident near Lyneham AFB, United Kingdom during takeoff. 10 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: It was determined that an engine failed after takeoff and the crew shut down the wrong engine and feathered the wrong propeller. Due to loss of power, the aircraft stalled and crashed. 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

After takeoff, an engine failed. The crew mistakenly shut down the wrong engine and feathered the wrong propeller, causing loss of power, stall, and crash. All ten occupants, including seven cadets, were killed.

Flight and Incident

The aircraft departed from Luqa on a flight to RAF Dishforth with a planned stop at RAF Lyneham. It was operating under the auspices of the 242nd Operational Conversion Unit. During the initial climb, the crew experienced an engine failure and communicated the situation to ground control. They decided to return to the departure airport for a safe landing. However, while attempting to return, the aircraft stalled and crashed into a field. The impact destroyed the aircraft. The accident resulted in the deaths of all ten people on board, including seven cadets.

Investigation

The official investigation determined the probable cause. After takeoff, one engine failed. In response, the crew mistakenly shut down the functioning engine and feathered its propeller. As a consequence, the aircraft lost power, stalled, and was unable to recover, leading to the crash.