20-May 1945 Wellington X NC594 20 OTU Lossiemouth. On its previous sortie, this aircraft had made an emergency landing with port engine trouble. After several ground runs, no fault could be found and the aircraft was scheduled for an air test. Immediately after take-off and at a height of 300 feet, one or both engines failed or lost power and the aircraft was seen to be pitching fore and aft, out of control. The pilot attempted an emergency landing but the aircraft crashed into a block of houses at Church Street Seatown on the eastern outskirts of Lossiemouth village. The civilian casualties were all resident in one house with Mrs Flood and four of her sons being killed in the upper floor immediately the aircraft crashed. Her husband rescued his 11 year old daughter, whom he succeeded in dropping to other rescuers in the garden below. He then carried his youngest son to a window, with the intention of doing the same but an explosion took place and the boy died. Mr Flood was blown from the building but escaped with minor injuries, whilst Mrs Allen and her daughter were also killed as a result of the initial impact. The subsequent investigation blamed the engine fitter responsible for carrying out the engine ground runs for not being sufficiently thorough in his checks. Fatalities P/O. Ronald Arthur Rickard P/O. David Peacock Robertson Cameron Sgt. Cecil George Walter Mawby Mrs Joey Flood 37 Master Jack Flood 14 Master James Flood 12 Master Sinclair Flood 7 Master George Flood 5 Master David Flood 3 Mrs. Edith Allan 66 Miss vera Allan 19
