Egypt | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

During the takeoff roll at Ismailia Airport, a tyre burst. The airplane swerved on runway, lost its undercarriage and came to rest, bursting into flames. There were no casualties but the aircraft was destroyed by fire.

Probable cause:

Loss of control during takeoff following a tyre burst.

Crash of a Vickers 290 Wellington I in Ismailia

Date & Time: Jul 30, 1940

Type of aircraft:

Vickers 290 Wellington I

Operator:

Registration:

L4235

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Ismailia - Ismailia

Location:

Ismailia

Country:

Egypt

Region:

Africa

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

After touchdown at Ismailia Airfield, the aircraft swerved on runway, lost its undercarriage and came to rest in surrounding area. The crew escaped unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Bristol 130 Bombay I in Alexandria

Date & Time: Jul 18, 1940

Type of aircraft:

Bristol 130 Bombay

Operator:

Registration:

L5819

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Supply

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Tobruk - Alexandria

MSN:

SH.12

YOM:

1939

Location:

Alexandria

Country:

Egypt

Region:

Africa

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew initiated the approach to Alexandria Airport in foggy conditions following a supply mission from Tobruk. Due to poor visibility, the captain was unable to locate the runway, abandoned the approach and initiated a go around. Few minutes later, while on a second approach, both engines failed. The aircraft stalled and crashed in the Mariout Lake, few hundred metres short of runway. All five occupants were rescued and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Crew (216th Squadron).

Probable cause:

Double engine failure on final approach due to fuel exhaustion.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim in Bakbak: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jul 15, 1940

Type of aircraft:

Bristol 142 Blenheim

Operator:

Registration:

L4820

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Bombing

Survivors:

Site:

Desert

Schedule:

Fuka - Fuka

MSN:

8835

YOM:

1939

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew departed Fuka on a raid over Gazala. On return, an engine caught fire and the pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed near Bakbak, bursting into flames. All three crew members were killed.
Crew:
F/O Michael Frederick Henry Fox, pilot,
Sgt Harry Francis Alfred Nicholas, observer,
Sgt Maurice Klines, wireless operator and air gunner.

Probable cause:

Engine fire in flight.

Crash of a Bristol 130 Bombay I near Marsa Matruh: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jul 15, 1940

Type of aircraft:

Bristol 130 Bombay

Operator:

Registration:

L5815

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Tobrouk – Héliopolis

MSN:

SH.8

YOM:

1939

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Following a supply mission in Tobruk, the aircraft was returning to Heliopolis. While cruising at night at low height, it impacted a cliff and crashed about 40 km south of Mersa Matruh. Two crew members were injured and three others were killed.
Crew (216th Squadron):
P/O Ralph Paul Joseph Osborne, pilot, †
S/L R. G. Taylor, pilot, †
LAC Kenneth Edward Webber, †
LAC George Niven,
Cpl A. C. Hazlitt.

Probable cause:

Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a Bristol 130 Bombay I off Alexandria: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jul 14, 1940

Type of aircraft:

Bristol 130 Bombay

Operator:

Registration:

L5848

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Supply

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Tobruk - Heliopolis

MSN:

SH.41

YOM:

1939

Location:

Alexandria

Country:

Egypt

Region:

Africa

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The airplane was returning to Heliopolis following a supply mission in Tobruk. While cruising along the shore at night, it was shot down by the pilot of a German fighter and crashed into the sea. One body was recovered from sea but not trace from the four other crew members was ever found.
Crew:
P/O Thomas Albert Grundy, pilot,
Sgt John George Cowlishaw,
LAC Matthew Hetherington Winship,
LAC Peter Douglas Snowden,
LAC Thomas Murray.

Probable cause:

Shot down by a German fighter.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim IF off Mersa Matruh: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 13, 1940 at 1443 LT

Type of aircraft:

Bristol 142 Blenheim

Operator:

Registration:

K7181

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

MSN:

8134

YOM:

1938

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The aircraft was completing a maritime patrol flight off the Egyptian coast when it was attacked and shot down by the pilot of an Italian SM.79 Sparviero and crashed into the sea off Mersa Matruh. Both crew members were killed.
Crew:
P/O Derryk Austin Lea, pilot,
Sgt Christopher Frederick Burt, wireless operator and air gunner.

Probable cause:

Shot down by an Italian fighter.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim IV in Sidi Barrani: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jun 11, 1940 at 0540 LT

Type of aircraft:

Bristol 142 Blenheim

Operator:

Registration:

L8519

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Bombing

Survivors:

Site:

Desert

Schedule:

Fuka - Fuka

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Following a night bombing mission over El Adem, the airplane was shot down by enemy fire and crashed near Sidi Barrani. All three crew members were killed.
Crew:
Sgt Maurice C. Thurlow, pilot,
Sgt Bernard Alfred Feldman, observer,
AC1 Henry Robinson, wireless operator and air gunner.

Probable cause:

Shot down by enemy fire.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim I near Qalet el-Nakhl: 3 killed

Date & Time: May 12, 1940 at 0220 LT

Type of aircraft:

Bristol 142 Blenheim

Operator:

Registration:

L8386

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Fuka - Fuka

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The twin engine airplane departed Fuka Airfield on a night training mission. While cruising in limited visibility, the pilot lost his bearings and was attempting to find formation and locate his position when the airplane impacted the slope of a mountain located near Qalet el-Nakhl, some 100 km east of Suez. A crew member was rescued while three others were killed.
Crew:
Sgt Ronald Henry Claxton, pilot, †
Sgt Nicholas Frank Smith, observer, †
LAC R. J. King, wireless operator and air gunner,
LAC Robert Casson Jobling, air gunner. †

Probable cause:

Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim I near Fuka

Date & Time: May 9, 1940

Type of aircraft:

Bristol 142 Blenheim

Operator:

Registration:

L8472

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While on a training flight, the twin engine airplane crashed on hilly terrain near Fuka. All three crew members were injured.
Crew:
F/O C. Thomas, pilot,
Sgt S. Davies, observer,
AC1 C. Richardson, wireless operator and air gunner.