Incident Overview
Date: Thursday 23 January 1958
Aircraft Type: Vickers Varsity T.1
Owner/operator: Royal Air Force – RAF
Registration Number: WL633
Location: Manston RAF Station (MSE) –
ÿ United Kingdom
Phase of Flight: Landing
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 5
Component Affected: Aircraft Control Surfaces and EngineAircraft Control Surfaces and Engine
Category: Accident

A Varsity aircraft collided with snowbanks near RAF Manston, resulting in a fire and subsequent flame burst.A Varsity aircraft collided with snowbanks near RAF Manston, resulting in a fire and subsequent flame burst.
Description
The Varsity drifted off the runway at RAF Manston, collided with snowbanks and burst into flames.
Primary Cause
Weather conditions ? particularly heavy snowfall and unstable snowbanks ? likely contributed to the aircraft’s loss of control and subsequent impact.Weather conditions ? particularly heavy snowfall and unstable snowbanks ? likely contributed to the aircraft’s loss of control and subsequent impact.Share on: