ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 172887
This information is added by users of ASN. Neither ASN nor the Flight Safety Foundation are responsible for the completeness or correctness of this information.
If you feel this information is incomplete or incorrect, you can submit corrected information.
| Date: | Wednesday 6 May 1931 |
| Time: | day |
| Type: | Armstrong Whitworth Atlas Mk I |
| Owner/operator: | 13 Sqn RAF |
| Registration: | J9979 |
| MSN: | AW.489 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 2 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Location: | near RAF Netheravon, Wiltshire, England -
 United Kingdom
|
| Phase: | Approach |
| Nature: | Military |
| Departure airport: | RAF Netheravon, Wiltshire |
| RAF Netheravon, Wiltshire | |
| Confidence Rating: |  Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources |
Armstrong Whitworth Atlas Mk.I J9979 of 13 (Army Co-Operation) Squadron, RAF: Written off (damaged beyond repair) 6 May 1931 when crashed on approach to RAF Netheravon, Wiltshire. One of the two crew was killed, the other baled out and parachuted to safety:
Crew:
F/O George Reginald Weighill (pilot) RAF - baled out /Ok
AC1 Alexander Brownlow Merriman (362890) (observer) - killed
The cause of the accident was attributed to the engine coming out of the airframe after propeller blade broke. The inquest into the crew member who was killed was held at Salisbury on 8 May 1931. According to a contemporary report ("The Aeroplane" May 1931):
“Flying Officer G.R. Weighill said that Merriman was the other occupant of a machine which he had flown from Netheravon to Sutton Bridge and back. When about to land at Netheravon, from 1,000 feet on the return journey, he heard a load roar. The engine of his machine came out and the machine became uncontrollable. He ordered Merriman to jump with his parachute.
Flight Lieutenant W.A.D. Brook said that an examination of the wreckage disclosed that one blade of the metal airscrew had broken and this must have caused vibration of the engine, which then dislodged. A verdict of accidental death was returned.”
Sources:
1. http://www.rafcommands.com/forum/showthread.php?17512-RAF-Fatalities-1931
2. http://www.rafcommands.com/forum/showthread.php?12820-13-Sqn-Atlas-Crash-6-or-7-May-1931
3. http://www.orpheusweb.co.uk/vicsmith/Accidents/May31.html
4. http://www.rcawsey.co.uk/Acc1934.htm
5. http://britishaviation-ptp.com/aw_atlas.html
6. http://www.worldnavalships.com/directory/aircrewprofile.php?AircrewID=11741
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 11-Jan-2015 06:09 | Dr. John Smith | Added |
| 07-Feb-2017 18:31 | Dr.John Smith | Updated [Time, Registration, Cn, Source, Narrative] |
| 19-Apr-2018 20:40 | Dr. John Smith | Updated [Operator, Source, Narrative] |
| 09-Oct-2018 17:34 | Nepa | Updated [Operator, Operator] |
| 17-Jul-2023 16:58 | Nepa | Updated [[Operator, Operator]] |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:
| ASN Home | Send Correction / Feedback |
| FSF Home | Disclaimer | Copyright |
| Contact Us | Privacy Policy |
| Press / Media |
CONNECT WITH US:
©2024 Flight Safety Foundation