29th July, 1943. Vickers Wellington at RAF Cranage

Adjacent to RAF Cranage was a shadow factory that built Vickers Wellingtons. They were then test flown and delivered from the airfield at Cranage. On the 29th July, Wellington Mk.X, HE819 was on its third test flight when it crashed.

The Wellington was being piloted by Flight Officer Rouff who was a Royal Air Force pilot, also on board was Mr Edward Booth who was a Test Inspector from the Ministry of Aircraft Production.

The Wellington too off at 3.05pm without incident. Two hours later at 5.10pm whilst on approach to Cranage it turned into the wind in a steep and apparently perfectly controlled gliding turn to port just outside the south east border of the airfield. The Wellington slowed, it’s port wing dropped, touching the ground. The aircraft crashed into the ground immediately bursting into flames on impact.

The occupants, were both thrown out of the cockpit and trapped beneath the wreckage of a wing. Rescuer, Corporal Burton, assisted by two other airmen, attempted to rescue the occupants but all were driven back by the heat. Undeterred, Burton made another attempt alone and this time succeeded in partially lifting the burning wreckage of the wing and dragging the pilot clear. Flying Officer Dunlop, a medical officer, had arrived at the scene of the accident and on being informed that the passenger was still under the wreckage, attempted to release him. Whilst this was being done an explosion occurred but Flying Officer Dunlop continued his rescue efforts and dragged the passenger clear of the aircraft. Neither occupants survived the crash, Mr Booth dying in the ambulance on the way to the medical centre at RAF Wilmslow. The pilot, Flight Officer Rouff died from his injuries later that evening.

The crash is believed to have been caused by ‘freak’ weather conditions that occur on hot days at the south east approach to RAF Cranage.