1942 Ruislip Wellington accident

No. 311 Squadron RAF

Company type	Military unit
Industry	Military aviation
Founded	1940
Headquarters	Pembrokeshire , Wales, United Kingdom
Key people	Plt Off František Bulis, Flt Lt Václav Študent
Products	Vickers Wellington bombers operations

1942 Ruislip Wellington Incident

On 18 October 1942, a Vickers Wellington 1C medium bomber operated by No. 311 Squadron RAF tragically crashed close to South Ruislip station, Middlesex, during its final approach to RAF Northolt. The accident resulted in the deaths of all 15 individuals on board, as well as six civilians on the ground, including four children.

Background

No. 311 Squadron was part of Coastal Command and stationed at RAF Talbenny in Pembrokeshire, Wales. The squadron's personnel were members of the RAF Volunteer Reserve, with all but one aboard the ill-fated aircraft being Free Czechoslovak airmen. In September 1942, two Wellingtons from this squadron successfully engaged German U-boats. Following these operations, both crews were invited to London in October for debriefing.

On 9 September, a Wellington bearing the serial DV738 and code KX-C, piloted by Plt Off František Bulis, attacked an unidentified U-boat with depth charges, compelling it to submerge. The appearance of extensive oil patches on the water suggested that the submarine sustained damage. Later, on 27 September, another Wellington identified by serial Z1147 and code KX-Q, flown by Flt Lt Václav Študent, launched a depth charge assault on U-165. During this engagement, the U-boat retaliated using its 20 mm FlaK 30 guns, injuring four crew members including the co-pilot. The KX-C aircraft suffered hydraulic system damage, forcing Študent to execute a crash landing at St Eval, Cornwall. Despite this, the attack successfully sank U-165.

Flight Details

On 18 October 1942, both crews departed Talbenny aboard a single Wellington destined for Northolt. Plt Off Bulis commanded the flight crewed by his own team, while Flt Lt Študent's crew travelled as passengers. Two members of Študent’s team were absent due to injuries sustained in the earlier engagement on 27 September. As this date coincided with Czechoslovak Independence Day, several other personnel from 311 Squadron accompanied them to spend the day in London. The total number of passengers was nine, including Plt Off Georges Strauss-Leemans—a Belgian and the squadron’s transport officer. The aircraft involved bore the serial number T2564 with code letters KX-T.

Crash and Fatalities

At approximately 1600 hours, Wellington T2564 was approaching RAF Northolt from the west, maintaining an altitude between 500–600 ft (150–180 m) with its landing gear extended. Pilot Bulis executed a sharp turn to port, aiming to align the aircraft with Northolt's east-west runway from the eastern side. During this maneuver, the Wellington stalled and subsequently plunged toward the ground near South Ruislip station.

At 16:08, a wingtip struck a main road, causing the aircraft to overturn onto a nearby vacant lot where numerous children were playing. The Wellington immediately caught fire. The ignition caused the ammunition of its .303 inch machine guns to explode, resulting in gunfire discharging in multiple directions.

Tragically, all crew members and passengers perished, marking this incident as the deadliest single event for 311 Squadron. In addition, six civilians on the ground lost their lives, including two adult sisters and their four young daughters.

With the exception of one crew member, all were laid to rest in the Czechoslovak section of Brookwood Military Cemetery located in Surrey. The women and children who died were buried at St Nicholas' parish churchyard in Brockenhurst, Hampshire.

Inquest

Alongside a formal service inquiry, an inquest took place in Uxbridge, Middlesex, concerning the deaths of the two sisters and their children. Investigations concluded that the aircraft was airworthy and not carrying excess weight. A witness stationed at Northolt described the plane’s flight as initially normal: "It made a quarter circle, gradually losing height. Then it appeared to lose height rather more quickly and disappeared behind some houses." The Coroner delivered a verdict of accidental death.

See also

• Elvetham air crash, involving a Consolidated Liberator from No. 311 Squadron RAF that crashed east of Hartley Wintney, Hampshire in 1945, resulting in the deaths of all five crew members and 18 passengers