Crash of a Vickers 627 Viking 1B in Blackbushe

Date & Time: Aug 15, 1954 at 1000 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
G-AIXS
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Blackbushe – Nice
MSN:
234
YOM:
1946
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
32
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Ten minutes after takeoff from Blackbushe, at an altitude of 6,000 feet, an oil leak occurred on the right engine that was shot down and its propeller feathered. The crew received the permission to return to Blackbushe. On final approach, at a speed of 100 knots, the aircraft stalled and crashed in flames in a field located 135 yards short of runway 26 threshold. All 37 occupants evacuated the cabin and four of them were injured, two seriously. The aircraft was destroyed by fire.
Probable cause:
The accident was the result of the captain allowing the aircraft to stall when making a single engine approach to land. A contributory factor was distraction of the captain's attention by the flickering of the undercarriage red indicator lights during a critical stage of the approach. The starboard engine was also damaged by fire and was removed for detailed examination by the Engine Division of the Bristol Aeroplane Company Ltd. Their report stated that the rear of the crankcase had been almost consumed by fire and that a number of cylinder barrels were severely burned. A detailed strip examination did not disclose any mechanical defect and no reason for the failure was established.
Final Report:

Crash of a Vickers 610 Viking 1B in Nuremberg

Date & Time: Dec 20, 1953
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
G-AHPO
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
London – Nuremberg
MSN:
157
YOM:
1947
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The final approach to Nuremberg Airport was completed in marginal weather conditions with a visibility below minima. After touchdown on runway 10, the twin engine aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance, overran and came to rest near a road. All 11 occupants were evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the accident was caused by a wrong approach configuration on part of the crew who completed the approach in poor weather conditions, reducing the visibility below minima. The aircraft landed too far down the runway, reducing the landing distance available. In such conditions, it was unable to stop within the remaining distance available.

Crash of a Vickers 634 Viking 1B in Cairo: 6 killed

Date & Time: Dec 15, 1953
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
SU-AFK
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Cairo – Luxor
MSN:
213
YOM:
1947
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances few minutes after takeoff from Cairo-Almaza Airport, killing all six occupants.

Crash of a Vickers 610 Viking 1B in Paris

Date & Time: Aug 12, 1953
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
G-AIVG
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Paris – London
MSN:
220
YOM:
1946
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
30
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll at Paris-Le Bourget Airport, a tire burst on one of the main gear. As the decision speed was reached, the crew continued the takeoff procedure and started the rotation. During initial climb, the captain encountered vibrations and informed ATC about the situation. He decided to return and completed a belly landing. On touchdown, the aircraft slid for dozen yards, veered off runway to the right and came to rest in a grassy area. All 34 occupants were evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
It was determined that a tire burst on one of the main landing gear during the takeoff procedure.

Crash of a Vickers 615 Viking 1B in Juan A. Pradere

Date & Time: Jun 9, 1953
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
T-6
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Buenos Aires – Bahía Blanca – Comodoro Rivadavia – Ushuaia
MSN:
180
YOM:
1947
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
20
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft was performing a charter flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia with intermediate stops in Bahía Blanca and Comodoro Rivadavia, carrying 20 members of the Argentinian Sports Confederation and a crew of three. Due to sufficient fuel reserve, the captain decided to cancel the fuel stop in Bahía Blanca and continued directly towards Comodoro Rivadavia. While approaching Trelew, he encountered foggy conditions and decided to return to Bahía Blanca as Comodoro Rivadavia was also in fog. Due to low visibility, he lost his orientation and flew over the sea before flying back overt the continent. Few minutes later, both engines failed due to fuel exhaustion. He reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing in a prairie located near Juan A. Pradere. After touchdown, the airplane hit trees and bushes about 2 meters high, swung and came to rest with its right wing torn off to the engine. All 23 occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure caused by a fuel exhaustion.

Crash of a Vickers 616 Viking 1B in Mkwaya: 13 killed

Date & Time: Mar 29, 1953
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VP-YEY
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Blantyre – Dar es Salaam
MSN:
168
YOM:
1947
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
13
Circumstances:
While cruising, the twin engine aircraft encountered poor weather conditions with turbulences and strong winds, disintegrated in the air and crashed near Mkwaya, killing all 13 occupants.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the type of grease used when fitting press fit bolts to the booms had caused corrosion nodes, thus weakening the lower starboard boom at the outboard bolt hole. The gust of wind caused a fracture of this boom outboard of Station 141, followed by the complete disintegration of the aircraft.

Crash of a Vickers 610 Viking 1B in Belfast: 27 killed

Date & Time: Jan 5, 1953 at 2139 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
G-AJDL
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Northolt – Belfast
MSN:
262
YOM:
1949
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
31
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
27
Captain / Total flying hours:
5100
Circumstances:
The crew started the approach to Belfast-Nutt's Corner by night and in marginal weather conditions. On final, the aircraft christened 'Lord Saint Vincent' was too low and hit the approach light number six (the top of which is 113 feet below the glide path) and appeared to level out. It touched down some 250 feet further on, ran along the ground for about 82 feet, rose again, struck the SBA van, came down again and struck the ILS building before breaking up about 200 yards short of runway 28 threshold. Eight occupants were injured while 27 others were killed, among them three crew members. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
The Inquiry found no indication of mechanical failure. The documentation of the aircraft was in order, the crew were properly qualified, and control procedures were correctly carried out. The Inquiry found that on the evidence available there existed such conditions as could properly be described as deceptive to the pilot and the conclusion was that the primary cause of the accident was an error of judgment on the part of the Captain.
Final Report:

Crash of a Vickers 615 Viking 1B in Morón

Date & Time: Oct 27, 1952
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
T-64
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
El Palomar - Morón
MSN:
194
YOM:
1948
Country:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to Morón Airbase, an engine failed. The aircraft lost height and crashed in a field short of runway threshold, lost its undercarriage and its right propeller before coming to rest. There were no casualties.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.

Crash of a Vickers 658 Viking Mk.1 at RAF Odiham: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 19, 1952
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VL266
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Odiham - Odiham
MSN:
171
YOM:
1948
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training mission at RAF Odiham, Hampshire. While flying in the vicinity of the airbase with one engine voluntarily inoperative, the aircraft went out of control and crashed in a field. Both crew members were killed, among them a RAAF Officer.

Crash of a Vickers 498 Viking 1A in Luqa

Date & Time: Jul 25, 1952
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
G-AHON
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
116
YOM:
1946
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to Luqa Airport, both engines failed simultaneously. The aircraft stalled and crashed short of runway threshold. All three crew members were slightly injured while the aircraft was written off.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure caused by a fuel exhaustion.