AAC Auster AOP 9 Accident Info

[Madbob]

I am trying to find out info concerning the loss of an AOP 9 which happened I think in March 1965 resulting in the loss of 3 crew when it flew in cables at low level. The A/C serial I think was XP253 but a search on National Archives has drawn a blank.

Can anyone help?

Thanks. MB

[sycamore]

Tried `ukserials.com`..Syc

[Brian Abraham]

Only info I can scratch together
Auster AOP 9 XP253
Delivery Date 5/6/61
Written Off 31/3/65
Manufacturers Number B5/10/161

[QuePee]

I do not have too much information but you are welcome to the little that I can add.

11.03.65 XP253 Auster AOP9 of 6 Flt Rear Detail 2 Wing AAC. Written off in a flying accident and soc 11.03.65. However other records suggest that it was written off after hitting HT cables at Broughton, Hants on 31.03.65. All three crew were killed. The Times for 11.03.65 records the loss of an Auster on a flight from Middle Wallop to Broughton with the loss of three crew.
Captain MJ Holyfield,
Sub Lieutenant MJ Vuolos,
Squadron Leader G Jones.


QP

[parabellum]

I was flying that day from MW and overflew the site a few minutes after it happened. A hazy day due high pressure, they were doing a bit of low flying into sun and hit power lines. Aircraft burned out.

[edskarf]

Many of the service cards for AAC Austers are not as accurately completed as the RAF Form 78s. The date 11.3.65 is that of allocation to No.2 Wing AAC. The Form 1180 records that the fatal accident occurred 31.3.65 at 1555 hours.

The Form 78 merely states March 65 SOC 'by Army'

The Times report of the accident appeared in the edition of 1.4.65 and those killed named in a report on 2.4.65

[Lee Howard]

Only thing I can add is that it was at Hayters Farm (SO20 8AZ for those with Google Earth). Broughton is SW of Stockbridge (due South from Middle Wallop). The aircraft was destroyed by fire.

[ATR43]

Interesting.........in the book "Think like a Bird" by Alex Kimbell he relates, just after finishing his course and being posted to Aden his instructor at MW was killed when the Auster hit power lines

One can only assume this was the incident he refers to!

[Old-Duffer]

The RAF officer was actually named JONAS and he had apparently recently returned from the Oman and was scheduled to go to Tern Hill to convert to helicopters before taking over one of the Far East Whirlwind squadrons.

[Rincas33]

I realise that the communications over the Auster accident at Hayters Farm in March 1965 are now quite old and that many contributors will no longer be available to add any more detail on the crash site.

I am the new owner of Hayters Farm and am interested to know exactly where the crash happened. The previous tenant told me that the aircraft came to its final resting place about 12m from the back door of the farmhouse. Can anyone confirm this?

My father was an AAC pilot so I feel a strong bond to this corps. I would like to put a memorial stone in memory to the men killed on my land so the location of the accident is important.

[ATR43]

Rincas33 - perhaps re-posting this on the Military page may help or contact "Parabellum" in the list above, he may be able to give you an approximate position