Savoia-Marchetti S.55 | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

Registered I-RECA, the Savoia-Marchetti S.55TA was taking part to a huge international rally organized by the Italian General Italo Balbo on a trip from Italy (Orbetello) to Brazil (Rio de Janeiro). A total of 14 Savoia-Marchetti S.55TA were involved in this rally. The group departed Orbetello on 17DEC1930, arrived in Kenitra on 21DEC1930, Villa Cisneros on 23DEC1930 and finally Bolama (Guinea Bissau, ex Portuguese Guinea) on Christmas Day. Due to poor weather conditions, it was not possible to continue so all crews observed a rest time on Bolama Island till 06JAN1931. After takeoff from the harbor of Bolama, during initial climb, the float plane encountered problems, stalled and hit the water surface before coming to rest. Three crew members were injured while the fourth was killed. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair. It was registered I-RECA, referring to the name of its captain Silvio Recagno. Sergeant-Major Luigi Fois was killed.

Crash of a Savoia S.55TA off Bolama: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jan 6, 1931

Type of aircraft:

Savoia-Marchetti S.55

Operator:

Registration:

I-BOER

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Orbetello - Los Alcázares - Kenitra - Villa Cisneros - Natal - Salvador - Rio de Janeiro

Location:

Bolama

Country:

Guinea Bissau

Region:

Africa

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Registered I-BOER, the Savoia-Marchetti S.55TA was taking part to a huge international rally organized by the Italian General Italo Balbo on a trip from Italy (Orbetello) to Brazil (Rio de Janeiro). A total of 14 Savoia-Marchetti S.55TA were involved in this rally. The group departed Orbetello on 17DEC1930, arrived in Kenitra on 21DEC1930, Villa Cisneros on 23DEC1930 and finally Bolama (Guinea Bissau, ex Portuguese Guinea) on Christmas Day. Due to poor weather conditions, it was not possible to continue so all crews observed a rest time on Bolama Island till 06JAN1931. After takeoff from the harbor of Bolama, while climbing, the float plane lost height and crashed into the sea, killing all four crew members. Their bodies were never recovered. It was registered I-BOER, referring to the name of its captain Luigi Boer.

Crash of a Savoia-Marchetti S.55P off Olbia: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 20, 1929 at 1030 LT

Type of aircraft:

Savoia-Marchetti S.55

Operator:

Registration:

I-TACO

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Cagliari – Olbia – Rome

MSN:

10519

YOM:

1929

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While landing in the harbor of Olbia, on a very calm sea, the seaplane landed hard, overturned and came to rest upside down off Terranova Pausania. A passenger was killed while 11 other occupants were injured. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

The accident was caused by an optical illusion that suffered the pilot-in-command prior to landing. Due to the fact that the sea was very calm, in conjunction with the light density, the pilot misjudged the distance between the seaplane and the water surface, causing the aircraft to slam the water.

Crash of a Savoia-Marchetti S.55P off Ibiza

Date & Time: Oct 12, 1929

Type of aircraft:

Savoia-Marchetti S.55

Operator:

Italian Government

Registration:

I-AASZ

Flight Type:

Government

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

MSN:

10521

YOM:

1929

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Crashed in unknown circumstances off the island of Ibiza. The seaplane was operated by the Italian Aviation Ministry (Ministero dell’Aeronautica).

Crash of a Savoia-Marchetti S.55 off Casablanca

Date & Time: Nov 19, 1925

Type of aircraft:

Savoia-Marchetti S.55

Operator:

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Private

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Rome - Casablanca - Dakar - Recife - Buenos Aires

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was performing a first flight from Italy to Argentina on this first or second prototype. For unknown reason, the seaplane crashed in the sea off Casablanca and was damaged beyond repair. Crew fate unknown.