Explore the aircraft, crews and crash sites connected with Rhayader, the Elan and Claerwen valleys, and the surrounding hills.
The remote hills, reservoirs and valleys around Rhayader have witnessed several dramatic aviation incidents over the years. This page brings together the aviation crash records from the website, preserving the stories of the aircraft, crews and places involved.
Each entry links to a dedicated page with further information, photographs and the known history of the crash site.
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Choose an incident to read its full story.
12 December 1944 · Pen-y-bwlch / Cwmdauddwr, west of Rhayader
Handley Page Halifax B Mk V, code ZU-O
Halifax LL541 of 1664 Heavy Conversion Unit, RAF Dishforth, crashed on the hills above Cwmdauddwr during a daytime training flight to Cardigan Bay and back. All eight Canadian RCAF airmen on board were killed and were later buried at Chester / Blacon Cemetery.
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4 April 1977 · Claerwen Reservoir, west of Rhayader
No. 208 Squadron RAF
Buccaneer XW525 crashed into Claerwen Reservoir during a practice low-level bombing run over Claerwen Dam. The aircraft suffered structural failure following a violent evasive manoeuvre. Both crew members ejected safely and survived.
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20 May 1942 · Esgair Pen-y-gareg, near the old Rhayader to Aberystwyth road
Vickers Wellington, No. 18 Operational Training Unit
Wellington N2813, flown by a Polish Air Force crew from No. 18 Operational Training Unit, crashed on high moorland at Esgair Pen-y-gareg after engine icing and failure during a night training flight. The pilot ordered the crew to bale out and all five airmen survived.
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9 / 10 July 1940 · Y Gamrhiw, near Llanwrthwl
No. 15 Operational Training Unit
Avro Anson N5019 crashed on the northern slope of Y Gamrhiw during a wartime night cross-country training flight from RAF Harwell. Four crew members were killed, while the pilot, Sgt Arthur Carris Smith, survived despite serious injuries.
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16 / 17 June 1986 · near Claerwen Dam, Elan Valley
Tri-National Tornado Training Establishment
Panavia Tornado IDS 43+24 of the Tri-National Tornado Training Establishment crashed near Claerwen Dam during a night terrain-following sortie from RAF Cottesmore. The aircraft was flown by O/Lt Peter Kastner with Sqn Ldr John Philip Towl as navigator. Both crew members were killed.
Read the full story →Aircraft crash sites are places of remembrance as well as historic interest. Any remaining wreckage should be treated with respect and left undisturbed. Some locations may be remote, hazardous or on private land, so care should always be taken when visiting the surrounding area.
This section preserves the history of these incidents and remembers the crews connected with them.