1953 "X" losses

10/03/1953

XB549

Sabre F4

147 Sqn

During its delivery flight to Abingdon from Canada the controls stiffened. The pilot diverted to Stornoway, Outer Hebrides but the aircraft was caught by a gust of wind during a flapless landing. It struck the ground hard and went off the side of the runway causing the nose wheel to collapse and shedding the wing tanks

05/04/1953

XB610

Sabre F4

147 Sqn

Dived into the ground at high speed seven miles NE of Grantown-On-Spey, Morayshire after suffering instrument failure shortly after take off from Kinloss. The pilot was killed. The aircraft had been on delivery from Canada to the RAF

27/05/1953 XB835 Sabre F4 RCAF loan While operating with 422 Sqn RCAF, control was lost due to suspected asymmetric slats problem. The pilot ejected and the aircraft crashed near Aylmer, Quebec, Canada
05/06/1953 XB863 Sabre F4 147 Sqn All radio aids were lost while in cloud while on delivery from Canadair at Caterville to the RAF. It crashed six miles NE of St. Felix-De-Valois, Canada
09/06/1953 XB806 Sabre F4 RCAF loan Prior to delivery to the RAF it was operating with 414 Sqn RCAF. On this day it dived straight into the ground at Bagotville, Canada, killing the pilot
12/06/1953 XB816 Sabre F4 RCAF loan Prior to delivery to the RAF it was operating with 414 Sqn RCAF. Written off when it landed short of the runway at Bagotville, Canada after suffering engine failure, the pilot survived. Another Sabre was allocated the serial XB816 and was delivered to the RAF
15/06/1953 XB603 Sabre F4 Sabre Conversion Flight The pilot approached Wildenrath, West Germany too fast and too steep. He raised the flaps too soon causing the aircraft to sink, then a too rapid movement of the throttle caused compressor failure. The aircraft struck the ground tail first and broke its back. The pilot survived
15/06/1953 XB769 Sabre F4 RCAF loan While operating with 414 Sqn RCAF the engine flamed out when on approach to Bagotville, Canada. Control was lost and it struck the ground and ran into a tree. The pilot escaped without serious injury
17/06/1953 XB676 Sabre F4 Sabre Conversion Flight Damaged beyond repair when an oxygen cylinder exploded during servicing at Wildenrath, West Germany, which started a fire
18/07/1953 XB882 Sabre F4 147 Sqn While on delivery from Canada to 147 Sqn the undercarriage doors began to open and close by themselves, the generator light came on and the cockpit filled with fumes. The pilot intended to jettison the canopy to clear the smoke but pulled the ejection handle as well. The aircraft crashed four miles north of Broughty Ferry, Angus
18/08/1953 XD775 Sabre F4 147 Sqn Pilot ejected after the stabilizer malfunctioned while on its delivery flight. It crashed at St. Hubert, Canada
17/09/1953 XB683 W Sabre F4 67 Sqn During a steep climb the pilot removed his helmet to put on his sun glasses. The nose pitched up and his helmet fell between the stick and the console. He was unable to control the aircraft properly and ejected. It crashed six miles from Liege, Belgium
06/11/1953 XB690 Z Sabre F4 67 Sqn The aircraft were part of a four ship formation acting as intercept targets for Belgian F-84s over West Germany. During a formation change the pair collided. The pilot of XB690 ejected but XB730 exploded, this ejected the pilot but he was killed. The aircraft crashed near Mochengladbach
06/11/1953 XB730 Y Sabre F4 67 Sqn
07/11/1953 XB253 Dragonfly HC4 194 Sqn The engine rpm fell after take off from a jungle clearing near Kuala Lumpur, Malaya after the pilot over pitched. He attempted to return to the clearing but the aircraft struck the bamboo perimeter and was damaged beyond repair
05/12/1953 XB318 309 Avenger TBM-3E 824 NAS Crashed onto mud flats at Lymington, Hampshire. The pilot was rescued by helicopter
11/12/1953 XB316 Avenger TBM-3E 815 NAS Flew into the west side of Slieve Croob, County Down, Northern Ireland, killing both crew
28/12/1953 XB745 19619 Sabre F4 RCAF Although operating with the Royal Canadian Air Force it carried its RAF serial as it was to be delivered shortly. It crashed near Beauvechain, Belgium after the pilot had ejected following engine failure. Another Sabre, 19635, was allocated to XB745

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