What happened
Following participation in a rugby event at RAF Bovingdon, the crew was performing a return flight to their base at RAF Thorney Island. The departure occurred amidst challenging weather conditions characterized by snowfall and reduced visibility. During the climb phase, as the aircraft reached an altitude of approximately 400 feet, the pilot-in-command initiated a left-hand turn. During this maneuver, the aircraft type struck trees and crashed into a wooded region situated roughly five miles north of the airfield.
The impact resulted in the destruction of the aircraft, leaving only the rear portion of the fuselage intact. The accident resulted in 16 fatalities and one passenger who sustained serious injuries.
Findings
Official investigations were unable to establish a definitive cause for the accident. However, several observations were documented regarding the circumstances of the flight. While it was noted that the aircraft was carrying an additional passenger beyond its standard 16-seat capacity, this was not identified as a contributing factor to the crash. Investigators also noted the presence of low visibility caused by snow. It was hypothesized that the pilot may have been attempting to maintain visual contact with the ground due to the poor meteorological conditions.