Wattisham Lightning Down, 1966

Thank you for the background on the accident John, absolutely awful.

What I meant though was more generally speaking, like David has mentioned, where accidents have happened and seemed survivable only for there to be a fatal ending.

Thank you for the background on the accident John, absolutely awful.

What I meant though was more generally speaking, like David has mentioned, where accidents have happened and seemed survivable only for there to be a fatal ending.

The sequence of ejection was part of the crash as it was directly caused by the need to initiate the seat. There are many cases where pilots have survived a crash only to die in an aircraft that is upside down and unable to get out.

The sequence of ejection was part of the crash as it was directly caused by the need to initiate the seat. There are many cases where pilots have survived a crash only to die in an aircraft that is upside down and unable to get out.

Amazing pictures, but such a sad ending for the pilot, I wonder though how often occurances may have happened like this.

Pagen,

It was a long list of events that took part in that accident, it grounded the fleet until mods were put in place to prevent it from happening again.

All began with the starter not dissengaging from one of the engines leading to an engine failure on take off, the aircraft flew on one engine until that failed too after ingesting parts from the other engine.

There was a very simple failure in the canopy locking mechanism that prevented the full sequence until the canopy was jarred loose by the impact with the tree.

Very sad indeed.

JB.

Amazing pictures, but such a sad ending for the pilot, I wonder though how often occurances may have happened like this.

Pagen,

It was a long list of events that took part in that accident, it grounded the fleet until mods were put in place to prevent it from happening again.

All began with the starter not dissengaging from one of the engines leading to an engine failure on take off, the aircraft flew on one engine until that failed too after ingesting parts from the other engine.

There was a very simple failure in the canopy locking mechanism that prevented the full sequence until the canopy was jarred loose by the impact with the tree.

Very sad indeed.

JB.

Fascinating but tragic story and photos. Thanks for posting.

Fascinating but tragic story and photos. Thanks for posting.

What a sad story indeed…..

What a sad story indeed…..

Amazing pictures, but such a sad ending for the pilot, I wonder though how often occurances may have happened like this.

Amazing pictures, but such a sad ending for the pilot, I wonder though how often occurances may have happened like this.

I’m fascinated by this story. I live very close to this location and drive past the cottage in the picture at least three times a week but was completely unaware that this had happened.

I’m fascinated by this story. I live very close to this location and drive past the cottage in the picture at least three times a week but was completely unaware that this had happened.

John Ward who now taxies the aircraft for the LPG was his number two that day, was interesting to listen to the full story first hand, such a tragic list of events that lead up to fatal outcome.

John.

John Ward who now taxies the aircraft for the LPG was his number two that day, was interesting to listen to the full story first hand, such a tragic list of events that lead up to fatal outcome.

John.

What a sad story.

What a sad story.