i am interested in finding out about a test pilots death. Lieut (E) Peter Lawson Lubbock was killed when the wing fell off his Firebrand and the plane exploded before he was able to crash land. All I have is newspaper reports at the time (a few days after the accident). I assume there would have been a full inquest, does anyone know where I could find it. Not totally WW2 as it happened on 26 Feb 1948. Thanks in advance.
Served aboard HMS Merlin. Tragically killed while serving as chief test pilot at Royal Navy Air Station, Donibristle, Fife, Scotland. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/32244647/peter-lawson-lubbock
I suppose why it happened. I can see from old pictures that the wings were able to fold for storage on carriers but why did the plane explod, I just thought I might ba able to access the inquest. Is that possible? Thanks
HMS Merlin/RNAS Donibristle was a RNAMY (Royal Navy Aircraft Maintenance Yard). Lt Lubbock was an air engineer so it is likely this was a routine test flight after maintenance or repair to the aircraft. Sounds most like a fuel explosion. There will certainly have been an investigation, where this report is held I do not know. You could try contacting the Fleet Air Arm Museum at library@nmrn.org.uk, I doubt they will have the information but they may be able to point you in the right direction. Another avenue is to find the nearest Coroner's Office and see if they have a report on the Inquest into Lt Lubbock's death. This may contain a statement from the RN as to what happened. Tim
