Archaeological remains associated with the loss of this aircraft are not confirmed as present at this location, but may be in the vicinity.

The remains of this aircraft are designated as a Controlled Site under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986. For further information on this Act and its administration with regard to aircraft, please contact the Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre, RAF Innsworth, Gloucester, GL3 1RZ.

Event and Historical Information:
This Sunderland's service life included assignments to 20 Squadron and lastly to the Royal Australian Air Force (10 RAAF). On 5 December 1941, it had left Oban for a transit flight to Pembroke Dock to pick up the new Officer in Command. The crew onboard comprised both RAF and RAAF staff - S/Ldr E B Courtney, P/O C W Steely, P/ G E Ferguson, F/O S E Goddard, Cpl S R Strang, Cpl W H Nelson, LAC L Meredith, LAC J P Lynch, AC1 H J Webber, AC2 P G Instance, AC1 E W lee, W/C A X Richards, F/Lt S Thomson, F/Lt R J Vaughan DFC and F/Lt W S Rae. At 11:21, whilst flying at 800ft 15 miles northwest of Holyhead, the port outer engine started to backfire. The engine cowling fractured and sent the aircraft into a violent 45 degree bank. It hit the sea across the swell at 90knots. The Sunderland broken up immediately and sank within 5 seconds. The survivors climbed onto the port mainplane where they were rescued by the motor fishing vessel KILKENNY. Four crewmen were killed and 3 injured. Two of the aircrew killed (Rae and Vaughan) were from 4 OTU unit and were onboard to pick up a Sunderland at Pembroke Dock to take to Invergordon.

Sources include:
Halley, J J, 1981, Royal Air Force Aircraft T1000-T9999, pg56
McNeil, R, 2003, Royal Air Force Coastal Command Losses of the Second World War, pg167

WWW resources:
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/WhatWeDo/Personnel/SPVA/AviationArchaeology.htm

Maritime Officer, RCAHMW, May 2011.