231 OCU Bassinbourn - 1955 era - Canberras

[Devendar]

Details of the Accident of WE 114 on 24 July 1957 at Bassingbourne

I would like to interact with anyone who has memories of the Accident of WE 114 on 24 July 1957 at Bassingbourne. The Canberra was flown by my uncle, Flt. Lt. Seerala Hari Kumar Naidu.

I would consider myself very lucky to get a reply.

E.Devendar

[Devendar]

Accident of WE 114 on 24 July 1957

Dear Sir,

Would you be able to recall of the Accident of WE 114 on 24 July 1957 at Bassingbourne? The Canberra was flown by my uncle, Flt. Lt. Seerala Hari Kumar Naidu. Anything you recall of the accident, my uncle, etc would be useful.

My Email ID is [email protected]

I would consider myself very lucky to get a reply.

With best regards,

E.Devendar

[Wyvernfan]

Hudson80 I think you may be a little confused. Bassingbourn never operated the PR.9 but did in fact operate the PR.3 on photographic training.

Incidentally the Control Tower Museum there has some really nice displays to remember those who served there on Canberras, including those who sadly lost their lives, but is always looking for new photos or material should anyone have anything to donate.
The museum is currently closed but all being well it will reopen next year.

The website is Welcome to the website of the Tower Museum Bassingbourn


Rob

[Madbob]

WE114

Devendar


I am sorry for your reason to post here on PPRuNe. One of our regular contributors may be able to help you further. His PPRuNe call sign is "Old Duffer".


All I can tell you was from his book that the aircraft crashed whilst overshooting (going around in today's jargon) and dived into the ground 2.5 miles south west of the airfield. The crew were both trainees, F/L Seerala H NAIDU (age 27) and F/L Dwarika P PANDAY (age 25). Both crew were sadly killed.


The aircraft was from 231 OCU based at Bassingbourn.


There is no mention of the cause or weather condition at the time. The National Record Office at Kew (London) will have a file and perhaps a copy of the accident report and investigation from the Board of Inquiry. That is your best chance of finding out more of what happened to your uncle. The same happened to my uncle in May 1956 (WT328).


I hope that this gives you more to go on. Good luck with your quest.


MB

[Devendar]

Accident of WE 114

Dear MB,

Thanks for your mail. I have sent a mail to "Mr. Old Duffer" and hope to get a reply.

I had been to London last year and had copied the entire report from the National Archives. It gave me a lot of relief since the Report had acknowledged an instrument failure also as a contributory factor.

It is nice that we are in company for the loss of our Uncles way back in the 50s and still remember them.

With best regards,

E. Devendar

[Wander00]

While we are talking about the Canberra, we all know that there were more accidents practising assymetric than "real" incidents, but were practice accidents mainly on squadron aircraft, or was there a similar accident rate in training, ie on the OCU, as well

[Wyvernfan]

Off the top of my head I can think of three - possibly four fatal Canberra accidents at Bassingbourn that were the result of assymetric situations going wrong, one of which was a return to base with literally one engine u/s.


Rob

[66scampton69]

High Drama

In Oct 1977, I had a short story published in 'Adam' a long defunct Australian magazine. It was titled 'High Drama' and the plot was similar to the one you remember, written from the tyro pilot's and nav's viewpoint. I went through two courses at Bassingbourn in the early and late sixties so it's possible I picked it up in the bar there. Either that or I thought it up myself but I wouldn't bet on it.