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Old 12th June 2013, 20:49
Observer1940 Observer1940 is offline
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U Indexed RAF Accidents 1940 -1941

Hello Ed

Thank you.

My post 6 has been amended to remove the connection with the AIB (Accidents Investigation Branch), to the "U" numbered Index.

Regarding "U" indexed accidents, I have got some official document copies confirming that most of the U Indexed crashes were where the aircraft was descending and either:-

i) failed to level out before striking the ground
ii) levelled out okay, but then dived again and struck the ground

Some also came out of cloud at an angle and struck the ground (as though icing, or some natural upward/downward force within the cloud caused the crash)

The "U" Indexed crashes were referred to a specialist research Branch who it seems held the U Index. The Branch appeared to have filed the Whitley P5044 crash in "C 4/9", which might suggest that it was in their Group C.

My official information for Groups A to C crashes, regarding a Group C crash is:-

"Group C: Accidents in which loss of control was preceded by engine or airframe failure."

A letter to the Second Pilot's family in South Africa stated that there was nothing that the Captain could have done and the accident was totally outside of the Pilot's control.

Mark
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