Date & Time:
Mar 2, 1948 at 2114 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-3
Operator:
Registration:
OO-AWH
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Brussels – London
MSN:
43154
YOM:
1947
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
3
Pax on board:
19
Pax fatalities:
17
Other fatalities:
0
Total fatalities:
20
Circumstances:
The approach to London-Heathrow Airport was completed in reduced visibility due to the night and foggy conditions. On final, the airplane impacted the ground, exploded and came to rest short of the runway threshold, bursting into flames. Two passengers survived the crash and were seriously injured while 20 other occupants were killed.
Crew:
Henri Goblet, pilot,
Jean Lomba, radio operator,
Louis De Geyndt, steward.
Crew:
Henri Goblet, pilot,
Jean Lomba, radio operator,
Louis De Geyndt, steward.
Probable cause:
The pilot continued the approach below the minimum safe altitude and was unable to distinguish the ground due to the low visibility caused by night and fog. At the time of the accident, the visibility was 200 yards.
