| Accident summary | |
|---|---|
| Date | 8 February 1956 |
| Fatalities | 1 |
| Aircraft type | Hawker Hunter F1 |
| Operator | Royal Air Force |
| Tail number | WW635 WT692 WT629 WT639 WW633 WW603 |
| Flight origin | RAF West Raynham |
| Destination | RAF Marham |
On 8 February 1956 the Royal Air Force lost six Hawker Hunter jet fighters in a multiple aircraft accident. Eight aircraft from RAF West Raynham had been carrying out a 4x4 dogfight exercise at 45,000 feet (14,000 m). Upon completion of the exercise the eight Hunters diverted to RAF Marham but due to bad weather six of the aircraft were lost including one fatality.
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The eight Hunter F1s from the Day Fighter Leader Squadron of the Central Fighter Establishment departed RAF West Raynham, Norfolk, England at 10:50 to carry out the exercise at 45,000 feet (14,000 m) in the local area. Due to the expected bad weather later in the day the aircraft were scheduled to return to West Raynham overhead by 11:15. By 11:00 the weather at West Raynham had deteriorated with poor visibility[1] and the aircraft were told to divert to nearby RAF Marham for a visual approach. [2]
The visibility suddenly reduced but due to the close proximity of the aircraft to each other it was not possible to complete Ground Controlled Approaches. In the following confusion and with only 10 minutes of fuel remaining, only two aircraft landed successfully.
Descended to 600 feet (200 m), but, unable to see the ground, he climbed away to 4,000 feet (1,200 m) and ejected with the aircraft crashing into a field 2 miles (3 km) northwest of Swaffham.[3]
Descended to 600 feet (200 m), but, unable to see the ground, he climbed away. The pilot ejected when the engine flamed out. The aircraft crashed into a forest 21⁄2 miles (4 km) southwest of Swaffham.[3]
Descended to 500 feet (200 m), but, unable to see the ground, he climbed away. The pilot ejected when the engine flamed out. The aircraft crashed into a field 31⁄2 miles (6 km) northwest of Swaffham.[3]
Descended to 250 feet (100 m), but, unable to see the ground, he climbed away. The pilot ejected when fuel was exhausted. The aircraft crashed 3 miles (5 km) south of Swaffham.[3]
Crashed 41⁄2 miles (7 km) northwest of Swaffham, pilot killed.[3]
Belly-landed following engine flame-out just east of the airfield, pilot unhurt.[3]
Questions were asked in Parliament about the loss of six aircraft worth £750,000 [4] and the suspicion that the Mark 1 and 2 Hunters "are liable to be deficient in fuel if a crisis arises".[5] Concern was also raised about the carrying out the exercise in the expected weather conditions.[5]
The Board of Inquiry reported that the primary cause of the accident was the sudden deterioration in the weather. The board also said it was an error of judgement to divert the aircraft to Marham on the assumption that they could do a visual landing.[2]
It decided that the decision to fly in the weather conditions was proper and reasonable, the pilots were all competent, the aircraft were serviceable and had adequate fuel and endurance for the planned mission.[2]
The Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Fighter Command decided that disciplinary action should be taken against officers in charge of flying operations at West Raynham. One officer was reproved and removed from his job and three other officers were reproved.[2]
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