Oxford Mk. II PH404 took off on 10th January 1945 at 10. 45 for the flight on route Tain - Honchurch. Three pilots, S/Ldr Kvapil, F/Os Linhart and Vella, together with Wirelles Operator/Air Gunner F/O Kauders have finished their operational tour and were flying to London for holiday. The last pilot, W/O Jelen, was appointed to the function of pilot for return flight back to Tain. The plane crashed in mountains near Bheinn A'Bhuird in Scotland where was found on 19th August 1945 by British mountaineer. PH404 crew biographies: S/Ldr Kvapil F/O Linhart F/O Vella F/O Kauders W/O Jelen There was a witness of the start of PH404, Engineering Officer of No. 311 Squadron, F/O Tuzil: "Plane piloted by S/Ldr Kvapil took off before twelve o'clock, when there was a very good weather in Tain. Dark blue sky without any clouds and no wind. There were W/O Jelen, who will return with the plane back to tain, F/O Linhart, F/O Vella and F/O Kauders, who were going for holiday. The plane have not landed on destination airfield, on route it probably flew into continuos clouds. When the plane have not landed on any airfield, control tower in Tain started the investigation but without any success. The plane have disappear without trace. There was a possibility that after the change of course the plane crashed in sea. In August, when the squadron based in Manston was flying to Prague, came the sad new that the plane was found out on slope of Ben Nevis? (Bheinn A'Bhuird) mountain, about 110 km in course to Glasgow. The wreckage was found out by british mountaineeron on 19th August 1945." (from Pajer M.: Nad mori a oceanem, Svet Kridel, Cheb 2000, page 336.) In the same book was published report of crash with the following brief closure: "10.1.1945 - Oxford PH404 - 4 pilots and 1 Wireless Operator. Plane took of from base of No. 311 Squadron to Honchurh at 11.00 AM. Meanwhile the plane and crew are Missing. Plane was obviously overloaded, at least of one passenger and maybe some other luggages. The overload need not be the direct reason of accident but it could contribute to it in the case of failure of one engine because Oxford with this load is not able to fly horizontaly only with one engine. Closure: It is necessary to wait for datailed reports." (from Pajer M.: Nad mori a oceanem, Svet Kridel, Cheb 2000, pages 336-337.) Crashsite pictures (1999) More information about the crashsite, photos from September 2002 and other story including memorial plaque and amazing finding of F/O Vella's watch