ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 157258
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| Date: | Friday 20 November 1970 |
| Time: | day |
| Type: | Westland Whirlwind HAR10 (S-55T) |
| Owner/operator: | 202 Sqn RAF |
| Registration: | XL112 |
| MSN: | WA151 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 4 / Occupants: 4 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Location: | Grazing Nook Farm, Patrick Brompton, North Yorkshire, England -
 United Kingdom
|
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Military |
| Departure airport: | RAF Leconfield, Yorkshire |
| Confidence Rating: |  Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources |
Westland Whirlwind HAR10 (S-55T) XL112, 202 Squadron, RAF: Written off (destroyed) 20 November 1970: Exploded in mid-air following loss of control in low cloud and fog. XL112 crashed at Patrick Brompton, North Yorkshire killing all four on board. According to a contemporary report ("Yorkshire Air News", November 1970): "On 20th November an RAF Whirlwind of 202 Squadron Leconfield. crashed at Grazing Nook Farm near Bedale in the North Riding.The aircraft is believed to have blown up in the air. The four occupants, including a girl from the WRAF, were killed".
An inquest was held in Bedale. Later investigations reported the helicopter had exploded in mid-air following loss of control in cloud. The pilot who was an exchange officer from the Canadian Armed Forces is said to have had limited experience of flying the Whirlwind by instrument in bad weather. The aircraft was reported to have climbed 5,000 feet into a layer of ice.
Crew of Whirlwind XL112
Captain John Horton Balser, (Pilot)(Canadian Armed Forces, Service Number 233451, Age:34)
Brian Sterland, RAF (Master Navigator/Winch Operator)
Flight Sergeant Charles Peter Ford, RAF (Winchman)
Pilot Officer Helen Susan McLaren, WRAF (Passenger, aged 21)
According to an eyewitness report: "I live on the farm where this tragedy happened, and I am probably the only one who knows exactly where it crashed. It has left a deep impression on my life for the last 50 years. I am the brother of John Fall who gave evidence at the inquest. It was a dark, foggy afternoon and John was working outside, he saw what happened. John realized that something had crashed and went to dial 999. We rushed down the field, not knowing it was a helicopter. Alas, nothing could be done. It was deathly silent and sadly all the crew had perished".
Captain John Horton Basler CD (Canadian Forces Decoration) was an Exchange Officer and listed as being with the Canadian Defence Liaison Staff in London, England.
Patrick Brompton is a village and civil parish in the Richmondshire district of North Yorkshire, England. Patrick Brompton is situated about 4 miles (6.4 km) west of Bedale.
Sources:
1. La Stampa 21 November 1970, p11
2. http://www.ukserials.com/losses-1970.htm
3. Yorkshire Air News November 1970: http://www.yorkshireairnews.co.uk/images/1970%2011.PDF
4. https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/local/northyorkshire/18891533.tributes-crew-helicopter-crash-near-bedale/
5. https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/local/northyorkshire/18891533.tributes-crew-helicopter-crash-near-bedale/#gallery2
6. https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/memorials/canadian-virtual-war-memorial/detail/80001869
7. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/112233834/john-horton-balser
8. http://www.rafcommands.com/archive/17670.php
9. https://www.202-sqn-assoc.co.uk/page95.html
10. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Brompton
Media:
Westland Whirlwind XL112 at RAF Leuchars in August 1962:
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 26-Jun-2013 21:14 | Dr. John Smith | Added |
| 04-Aug-2015 11:10 | Dr. John Smith | Updated [Source, Embed code, Narrative] |
| 10-Aug-2015 19:05 | Dr. John Smith | Updated [Location, Source, Narrative] |
| 10-Aug-2015 19:07 | Dr. John Smith | Updated [Embed code] |
| 14-Nov-2018 15:54 | Nepa | Updated [Operator, Operator] |
| 22-Jan-2020 18:22 | TB | Updated [Aircraft type, Operator, Location, Source, Narrative] |
| 23-Nov-2020 13:33 | gerard57 | Updated [Source] |
| 13-Dec-2020 12:11 | Anon. | Updated [Operator] |
| 13-Dec-2020 12:44 | DG333 | Updated [Operator, Location, Operator] |
| 14-Jul-2022 00:42 | Dr. John Smith | Updated [Time, Location, Source, Embed code, Narrative, Category] |
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