Vickers Varsity WF381 crash, Singleton (Sussex), October 1959

[John]

On 19th October 1959, a Vickers Varsity of the Empire Test Pilot's School, serial WF381, was engaged in a test flight to enable a student test pilot (meaning he was an experienced pilot, just a student at the Test Pilot School..) to carry out a single-engine flying exercise to try and find the critical engine speed on one engine. The Varsity took off from Farnborough at 1159 hrs, and communications were received from the aircraft at 1203 hrs and 1227 hrs. The aircraft was seen immediately before the crash, flying slowly on a northerly course with lowered undercarriage at an estimated height of between 1000' and 2000'. Eye witness accounts indicated that after an application of full engine power the Varsity started to climb, after which it rolled to starboard and spun in a steep dive to the ground. The aircraft exploded on impact and was largely destroyed by fire. The crew of two were both killed.

Attached are some pictures taken at the crash scene..

[John]

A 'panoramic' view of the crash site, assembled for the RAF Board of Inquiry.

[John]

Port and starboard engines of WF381 being recovered from the crash scene.