Luqa | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The airplane departed Luqa Airport on an anti-shipping operation in the Mediterranean Sea. While attacking a ship, the airplane was hit by the explosion and crashed into the sea. Two crew members were killed and a third became PoW.
Crew:
W/Cdr Neville Ernest Wetherell Pepper, pilot, †
Sgt Thomas Eric Hyde, observer, †
Sgt Leslie Pickford, wireless operator.

Crash of a Martin 167 Maryland in Dingli: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 7, 1941

Type of aircraft:

Martin 167 Maryland

Operator:

Registration:

AR706

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Luqa - Luqa

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Circumstances:

Following a reconnaissance mission over Taormina, the crew was returning to Luqa Airport. On approach, the airplane was shot down by the pilot of a German fighter. The navigator was able to bail out before the airplane crashed one mile north of Dingli. Two other crew members remained on board and were killed.
Crew:
Sgt John Boys-Stones, pilot, †
Sgt J. M. Alexander, navigator,
Sgt Jack Levy, wireless operator. †

Probable cause:

Shot down by a German fighter.

Crash of a Martin 167 Maryland off Catania: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jan 11, 1941

Type of aircraft:

Martin 167 Maryland

Operator:

Registration:

AR707

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Luqa - Luqa

Location:

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Circumstances:

The airplane departed RAF Luqa at 0700LT to proceed with a check of the fleet based at Taranto Airport. While approaching Catania at an altitude of 10,000 feet, the bomber was shot down by the pilot of a Macchi M.C. 200 and crashed in the Mediterranea Sea off the Sicily coast. All three crew members were killed.
Crew:
Sgt René Duvauchelle, pilot,
Sgt George Taylor, observer,
Sgt Jacques Méhouas, wireless operator.

Probable cause:

Shot down by an Italian fighter.

Crash of a Vickers 416 Wellington IC in Elmdon: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 30, 1940 at 0102 LT

Type of aircraft:

Vickers 416 Wellington IC

Operator:

Registration:

T2893

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Stradishall - Luqa

Location:

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Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

4200

Circumstances:

The airplane departed RAF Stradishall at 0051LT on a ferry flight to Luqa, Malta, carrying a crew of six. Shortly after takeoff, one of the engine failed. The crew elected to return to the base but the flaps failed and altitude could not be maintained. It is believed that the crew was attempting an emergency landing in an open field when the airplane collided with trees and crashed near Poplar Farm, bursting into flames. Two crew members were killed and four others were injured.
Crew:
S/L B. J. McGinn,
P/O J. A. Parker,
Sgt A. D. Brisbane,
Sgt R. Clarke,
Sgt John Raggenbass, wireless operator, †
Sgt Claude Horace Bain, air gunner. †

Probable cause:

Engine failure after takeoff.

Crash of a Vickers 416 Wellington IC into the Mediterranean Sea: 6 killed

Date & Time: Nov 28, 1940

Type of aircraft:

Vickers 416 Wellington IC

Operator:

Registration:

T2894

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Bombing

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Luqa - Luqa

Location:

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Region:

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Circumstances:

The airplane departed Luqa Airport on a mission over the Mediterranean Sea. It was lost without trace, probably after it crashed somewhere in the sea. all six crew members were killed.
Crew:
W/Cdr Craven Goring Hohler,
F/O John Archibald Gray,
Sgt John Charles Cornish,
Sgt Hugh Alphonso Hogger,
Sgt Jack Herbert Jefferies,
Sgt Frederick Eric Valentine Johnson.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P. 30 in Luqa

Date & Time: Sep 22, 1934

Type of aircraft:

Handley Page H.P.30

Operator:

National Aviation Displays

Registration:

G-EBMR

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Positioning

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Luqa - Hal Far

MSN:

W.10/2

YOM:

1926

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

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Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The airplane departed Luqa Airport on a short positioning flight to the near airport of Hal Far. Shortly after takeoff, the airplane stalled and crashed. All three crew members were injured.