441223 - Unaccounted Airmen - 23-12-1944

[Ross_McNeill]

Form 1180 raised for this accident is available from the RAF Museum at Hendon.

Flight is confirmed as non operational night interception.

1 killed, 1 seriously injured

Fairweather annotated by Form 412 (Court of Inquiry) as 622 hrs total, 32hrs on type, 20hrs on type at night.

AOCinC comments:
Accident due to fact that a/c was not handed over to Flying Control for homing. Operational Controller committed an error of judgement in this respect.
Low cloud base contributed.
Pilot failed to check altimeter and flew into side of hill.
Accident may have been averted of Ops Control had handed over to Flying Control.

Ross

[paulmcmillan]

Casualty Communique No. -496

KILLED ON ACTIVE SERVICE.
Flt. Sgt. A. A. Fairweather;

Nearest Richards wounded is

Casualty Communique No. 468

WOUNDED OR INJURED ON ACTIVE SERVICE
W/O. E. H. M. Richards. RCAF


But based on rank I DO NOT think it is him