My Grandad
 

Id like to say my grandad was on that flight, and left my nan with
6 children, my father being the eldest at age 12,, whom im the only
child to,, not a day goes past when i think of how lucky i am and proud to have my grandads son as my dad, Ronald Keneth Stedman son of Frank Stedman
killed tragically on this test flight on christmas eve.

I have a copy of the report which I'm happy to send you if you can send me your e-mail address.

The report says that the aircraft was about to carry out 'baulked landing checks' so, it would seem, it was intended to flying an approach but not to land.

The probable cause was given as 'the failure on the part of both the Captain and First Officer to establish the aircraft's altitude before and during the final descent. Contributing to the accident was the height presentation afforded by the type of three pointer altimeter fitted in the aircraft which required a higher degree of attention to interpret accurately than was thought to be desirable.' (note, there is some discussion about altimeters and history about the evolution of height presentation in the report)

I remember the crash, but not the details, I knew Keith Myers very well in later years ( the First Officer ) when he became one of the 707 Flight Management team in the early '70's.

Were they using QNH for the approach or QFE? Easy to get momentarily confused which, depending on aerodrome elevation, could be potentially hazardous.

At approx 40ft. elevation near the coast - hardly hazardous, tho' I suppose landing 40 ft. below ground level might jar the teeth a little ?

I think BOAC used QNH and BEA QFE in those days ?