Malta Vulcan Crash 1975:::::::::::

[Dan4th]

This popped-up this morning:



So long ago.........

Danf.

[Old Rigger]

XM645, I was serving on 203 Sqd Nimrods out there at the time, in hindsight I think it might of been better to have kept her on the ground and not tried to go around again. Sad loss of 5 crew and 1 Maltese woman if memory serves.

One perspective on the accident

http://www.john-dillon.co.uk/V-Force/xm645_malta.html

[Dan4th]

Thank you, OR.

That's a very thorough description of the
incident, and I think you're right about
the attempted go-around. Of course, we
have the benefit of good old Hindsight,
don't we?

Any memories of that day?

Danf.

[RLN]

Such a shame

[Old Rigger]

Not really, have vague recollections of watching her flying around, was shocked when I heard about the loss. I don't recall anyone on 203 Sqn getting involved with the recovery/clean up. I have a job remembering who I worked with in those days and my mate who was there with me has the same problem .

I have a vague memory of a problem caused by the two Crew Chiefs being on board, as it was unusual and it was rumoured that the MOD were not going to pay up compensation for the families, apparently it was something in the small print, but I don't think the story was substantiated.

[Crew chief]

The captain also lost XM610 over Northhumberland some time before this crash but all the crew got out that time.


cc.

[Old Rigger]

That would be this one Crew chief:

http://www.neam.co.uk/wingate.html

[RLN]

Wasn't Jim Vinale something to do with the Black Buck raids?

[Old Rigger]

quite correct RLN, the story is on pages 3-7 of the Vulcan 607 book, good read as well.

[Thumper]

How terrible but a miracle that only 1 person on the ground was killed. Hindsight is indeed a wonderful yet frustrating thing.