Consolidated Catalina Mk.I AH533 / DA-G of No.210 Sqn, RAF, crashed on Cruach na Seilcheigh, Jura, on the 15th July 1941

 

Patrick Stuart Hutchinson Squadron Leader Pilot Killed
Edward Ruxton Pinches Pilot Officer 2nd Pilot Killed
Edwin Cyril Graham Sergeant Wireless Operator / Air Gunner Killed
James Calder Kinniard Corporal Killed
Tudor Simner-Jones Corporal Killed
Charles Arthur Kew Leading Aircraftman Killed
Ronald Fearnley Aircraftman 1st Class Killed
J. Kelly Aircraftman Survived

 

The aircraft, normally stationed at Oban, had been to Helensburgh for an overhaul. Once this was completed the aircraft was to be ferried back to Oban. When the aircraft approached Oban it was found by the crew that the weather conditions were too poor to land safely, in trying to do so the aircraft had sustained a small amount of damage. The pilots decided to either re-try at their earlier landing attempt or to land out at sea to await better inshore conditions. Either way the pilot turned onto a southerly course from Oban and while flying in low cloud the aircraft struck the North East side of Cruach na Seilcheig on the northern end of Jura where it was destroyed by fire.

When nothing had been heard from the crew of AH533 for some time a search was mounted, three Catalinas of No.210 Sqn set out at around 15:30 on the 16th July. Two returned having seen nothing, the crew of the third aircraft, W8420 piloted by Wing Commander Barrett, spotted the burnt out remains of the aircraft.

Wreckage at the crash site of Consolidated Catalina AH533 on the slopes of Cruach na Seilcheig, Jura
Little remains where the aircraft flew into the hillside, mostly burnt pieces of aluminium alloy, though some recognisable are present.
The view from the crash site of Consolidated Catalina AH533 on the slopes of Cruach na Seilcheig, Jura
The view from the site towards the Gulf of Corryvreckan, Scarba and Mull.
Wreckage from Consolidated Catalina AH533, Cruach na Seilcheig, Jura
The Maintenance Unit charged with disposing of the aircraft dragged some of the larger items down the hill away from the crash site.
Some of these pieces can still be found in the wooded valley.
Wreckage from Consolidated Catalina AH533, Cruach na Seilcheig, Jura
Another of the pieces that was dumped in the woods below the crash site.

 

Most of those who were killed were buried at cemeteries close to their homes.

However, two crewmembers, P/O Pinches and Cpl Simner-Jones were buried at Oban Cemetery, below are photographs of their graves.

Grave of Pilot Officer Edward Ruxton Pinches, killed onboard Consolidated Catalina AH533, Cruach na Seilcheig, Jura
Grave of Pilot Officer Edward Ruxton Pinches at Oban
Grave of Corporal Tudor Simner-Jones, killed onboard Consolidated Catalina AH533, Cruach na Seilcheig, Jura
Grave of Corporal Tudor Simner-Jones at Oban