HC Deb 18 June 1958 vol 589 cc92-3W
86. Mr. de Freitas

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will make a statement on the two fatal accidents occurring within a few hours last week, involving aircraft of the United States Air Force flying from Royal Air Force Station, Alconbury.

Mr. Ward

Shortly after midnight last Thursday, a T.33 training aircraft of the U.S.A.F. operating from Alconbury collided in mid-air with a R.A.F. Canberra which was preparing to land at Wyton after a training flight. The crews of both aircraft were killed. A committee of investigation comprising both R.A.F. and U.S.A.F. officers has been convened.

Shortly after this accident, a U.S.A.F. technician took off, without authority, from the U.S.A.F. base at Alconbury in a B.45 bomber which had been withdrawn from squadron service and was awaiting disposal. The aircraft crashed almost immediately after take off and the airman was killed. The accident is being investigated by the U.S.A.F.

There were no civilian casualties.