Aviation Crashes in and around the Elan Valley

A collection of aviation crash stories connected with the Elan Valley, Rhayader, and the surrounding hills of Mid Wales.

Elan Valley Aviation History

The remote hills, reservoirs and valleys around Rhayader have witnessed several dramatic aviation incidents over the years. This page brings together the Aviation crash pages on this website, recording the stories of the aircraft, crews and locations involved.

Each entry below links to a dedicated page with further details, photographs, crew information and the known history of the crash site.

Halifax LL541 crash site memorial on Pen-y-bwlch

12 December 1944 · Pen-y-bwlch / Cwmdauddwr, west of Rhayader

Royal Canadian Air Force Halifax LL541

Handley Page Halifax B Mk V, code ZU-O

Aircraft: Halifax B Mk V Serial: LL541 Unit: 1664 HCU Crew: 8 killed

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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Hawker Siddeley Buccaneer S.2B XW525

4 April 1977 · Claerwen Reservoir, west of Rhayader

Hawker Siddeley Buccaneer S.2B XW525

No. 208 Squadron RAF

Aircraft: Buccaneer S.2B Serial: XW525 Squadron: No. 208 RAF Crew: 2 survived

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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Vickers Wellington bomber

20 May 1942 · Esgair Pen-y-gareg, near the old Rhayader to Aberystwyth road

Polish Air Force Wellington N2813

Vickers Wellington, No. 18 Operational Training Unit

Aircraft: Vickers Wellington Serial: N2813 Unit: No. 18 OTU Crew: 5 survived

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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Avro Anson Mk I aircraft

9 / 10 July 1940 · Y Gamrhiw, near Llanwrthwl

Avro Anson Mk I N5019

No. 15 Operational Training Unit

Aircraft: Avro Anson Mk I Serial: N5019 Unit: No. 15 OTU Fatalities: 4 killed

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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German Air Force Panavia Tornado IDS training aircraft

16 / 17 June 1986 · near Claerwen Dam, Elan Valley

TTTE Panavia Tornado IDS 43+24

Tri-National Tornado Training Establishment

Aircraft: Panavia Tornado IDS Serial: 43+24 Operator: TTTE Luftwaffe Crew: 2 killed

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.

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Respecting Crash Sites

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 of the website is intended to preserve the history of these incidents and remember the crews connected with them.

Tel: 07870954997


Copyright - Elan Valley Past And Present 2026


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