Vickers Viscount

Operator:

Registration:

VH-RMI

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Mount Isa – Longreach – Brisbane

MSN:

416

YOM:

1959

Flight number:

AN149

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

14288

Captain / Total hours on type:

10003.00

Copilot / Total flying hours:

2803

Copilot / Total hours on type:

249

Aircraft flight hours:

18634

Aircraft flight cycles:

6586

Circumstances:

On 22 September 1966, the Viscount 832 aircraft registered VH-RMI, was engaged on a regular public transport service, designated Flight 149, from Mt. Isa to Longreach in Queensland, Australia, with a crew of four and twenty passengers on board. The flight departed from Mt. Isa at 1208 hours Australian Eastern Standard Time climbing to Flight Level 175 with an expected time interval of 73 minutes to Longreach. The flight progressed, apparently uneventfully, until 1252 hours when the Longreach Flight Service Unit heard the crew of VH-RMI say that it was on an emergency descent and to stand by. Two minutes later the aircraft advised that there were fire warnings in respect of Nos. 1 and 2 engines, that one of these warning conditions had ceased and that the propeller of the other engine could not be feathered. At 1259 hours information from the crew of VH-RMI, relayed to Longreach through the crew of another aircraft in the vicinity, indicated that there was a visible fire in No. 2 engine and that the aircraft was diverting below 5 000 ft to Winton. The town of Winton is located some 20 miles to port of the planned track and is 90 miles short of Longreach. No further communications were received from the aircraft but at 1303 hours a number of people located in the Winton area saw black smoke in the air west of the town, and it was subsequently established that this was associated with VH-RMI which had crashed in light timber on level ground some 131 miles short of the Winton aerodrome. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 24 occupants have been killed.

Probable cause:

The probable cause of the accident was that the means of securing the oil metering unit to the No. 2 cabin blower became ineffective and this led to the initiation of a fire within the blower, which propagated to the w$ng fuel tank and substantially reduced the strength of the main spar upper boom. It is probable that the separation of the oil metering unit arose from an out-of-balance condition induced by rotor break-up but the source of the rotor break-up could not be determined.
The following findings were reported:
- The crash of the aircraft followed the failure in an upward direction of the port wing between No. 1 and No. 2 engines at approximately 1302:30 hours Eastern Standard Time when the aircraft was at a height of 3 500 ft to 4 000 ft above ground level,
- The port wing failed as a result of a weakening of the main spar due to a fire in No. 2 cell of No. 2 fuel tank,
- The fire originated in the No. 2 cabin blower and travelled through the rear of No. 2 engine nacelle and port wheel bay to the fuel tank,
- The fire in No. 2 cabin blower was initiated as a result of a rotor break-up, the blower subsequently being driven in an out-of-balance condition by the quill shaft long enough for the metering unit to become separated from the rear end cover by the resulting vibration,
- The metering unit continued to be driven after separation and lubricating oil continued to be supplied. The driven rotor lost its rear stub shaft radial location and caused metal-to-metal contact which generated a temperature sufficiently high to ignite the oil in that area,
- It is not possible on the evidence to determine what was the cause of the rotor break-up.

Final Report:

Crash of a Vickers 804 Viscount in Jeuk: 4 killed

Date & Time: Aug 20, 1965 at 1508 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

SP-LVA

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Positioning

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Lille – Wrocław

MSN:

249

YOM:

1957

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

9816

Captain / Total hours on type:

1564.00

Copilot / Total flying hours:

11623

Copilot / Total hours on type:

1815

Aircraft flight hours:

14087

Circumstances:

The flight was a non-scheduled international IFR flight from Lille, France to Wroclaw, Poland. The aircraft took off from Lille at 1240 hours GMT and was cleared to climb to FL 160 on a heading to "Silly". At 1242 hours the pilot contacted Brussels ACC and reported he was at 3 000 ft still climbing and estimating "Silly" at 1249 hours. At 1253 hours he reported over "Silly" at FL 120, and was cleared to climb and maintain FL 130. At 1254 hours the pilot called Brussels and reported he was at FL 130 and estimating "Gatta" at 1300 hours. Five minutes later he reported over "Silly" at FL 130 and estimating "Olno" at 1310 hours. As this was the second time the pilot mentioned "Silly" the radar controller checked his position and confirmed that the aircraft was in fact over "Gatta". At 1300 hours the radar controller directed his attention to Caravelle F-BJTQ which, after passing "Gatta" at 1256 hours on airway "Green One", was cleared to make a right turn on Luxembourg but requested permission to make a detour to avoid an area of intense storm activity. At 1311 hours Brussels ACC has no news of the Viscount which by then should have reported reaching "Olno". Attempts to make radio contact with the aircraft were unsuccessful, and no echo appeared on the radar scope in the vicinity of "Olno". No distress signal was recorded. While in cruising flight the aircraft had entered an area of bad weather, lost altitude and disintegrated in flight before crashing to the ground at 1308 hours GMT. All four crew members were killed.

Probable cause:

No evidence was found to explain why the aircraft left its cruising level. The overall atmospheric conditions in the vicinity of Jeuk and the circumstances of the accident were such that it was assumed that the pilot lost control of the aircraft when entering a cumulonimbus. It is possible - and even highly probable - that turbulence was a determining factor in the accident.

Final Report:

Crash of a Vickers 701 Viscount in Liverpool: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jul 20, 1965 at 1710 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

G-AMOL

Flight Phase:

Liverpool-John Lennon (ex Speke)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

City

Schedule:

Douglas - Liverpool

MSN:

YOM:

1953

Location:

Merseyside

Country:

United Kingdom

Region:

Europe

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Aircraft flight hours:

20694

Circumstances:

Viscount G-AMOL departed Ronaldsway at 16:49 for a flight to Liverpool. The flight was made at flight level 70 and at 17:08 hours the aircraft was identified by Liverpool radar over Wallasey and positioned for a PPI continuous descent radar approach to runway 26. Half a mile from touchdown the radar approach was completed and the aircraft was then seen (on radar) to be just discernibly to the right of the centreline. No radio messages were received from the aircraft after the start of the talk-down. At 550 metres from the threshold, it was estimated to be at a height between 30 and 60 metres and about 40 metres to the right of the centre line. At this point witnesses saw the aircraft bank and turn to the right. The fuselage was level and the aircraft was banked almost vertically for part of the turn. When heading in approximately the opposite direction to the runway it rolled on to its back and crashed into the roof of a factory about 365 metres to the right of the extended centre line of the runway and about 550 metres from the threshold. After penetrating the roof, the aircraft had struck a heavy steel girder which had caused it to tip "tail-over-nose". It had then come to rest the right way up on the floor of the workshop with the tail resting on the steel roof trusses. An intense fire broke out which consumed almost the whole structure of the fuselage. Both crew members and two employees of the factory were killed.

Probable cause:

The aircraft went out of control during the final stage of an approach to land but the reason for this has not been determined.

Crash of a Vickers 773 Viscount in Cairo

Date & Time: Mar 19, 1965

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

YI-ACU

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Baghdad – Cairo

MSN:

331

YOM:

1957

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Following an uneventful flight from Baghdad, the crew started the approach to Cairo-Intl Airport when he encountered difficulties to lower the gear which failed to be locked. Several attempts were made to obtain the three green lights on the panel. Following a normal touchdown, the captain completed the braking procedure and while approaching the end of the runway, started a turn to the right to vacate via the taxiway when the nose-wheel steering failed as well as the braking systems. Out of control, the airplane veered off runway, struck several approach lights and came to rest. All occupants were evacuated safely while the aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Loss of hydraulic fluid from the main reservoir due to a burst pipe causing the nose-wheel steering system and the braking systems to fail.

Crash of a Vickers 701C Viscount in Rio de Janeiro

Date & Time: Mar 3, 1965

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

PP-SRQ

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Rio de Janeiro - Rio de Janeiro

MSN:

YOM:

1955

Location:

Rio de Janeiro-Galeão

Rio de Janeiro

Country:

Brazil

Region:

South America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was completing a local training flight at Rio de Janeiro-Galeão Airport. On final approach, the instructor voluntarily shut down the engine number four to simulate a failure. Simultaneously, the pilot under training lost control of the airplane that stalled and struck the runway surface. After impact, the airplane veered off runway and came to rest. While all four crew members were evacuated safely, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Error of judgement on part of the instructor who was overconfident. Following incorrect manoeuvres on part of the pilot under training, incorrect training instructions and a wrong approach configuration, control was lost.

Crash of a Vickers 782D Viscount in Isfahan

Date & Time: Feb 15, 1965

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

EP-AHC

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

299

YOM:

1958

Location:

Isfahan-Shahid Beheshti

Isfahan

Country:

Iran

Region:

Asia

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The aircraft landed hard for unknown reason. On touchdown, the left main gear collapsed and the aircraft veered off runway to the left before coming to rest. There were no casualties but the aircraft was written off.

Crash of a Vickers 701C Viscount near Nova Friburgo: 39 killed

Date & Time: Sep 4, 1964 at 1634 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

PP-SRR

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Recife – Vitória – Rio de Janeiro – São Paulo

MSN:

YOM:

1955

Flight number:

VP141

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

6787

Captain / Total hours on type:

428.00

Copilot / Total flying hours:

5945

Copilot / Total hours on type:

433

Aircraft flight hours:

17165

Circumstances:

The Viscount took off from Vitoria at 18:45 GMT and climbed to 1800 m. At 19:33 the crew reported over Rio Bonito at 1800 m in instrument meteorological conditions. Actually, the flight was over Nova Friburgo, 43 km from Rio Bonito. The aircraft collided with the west slope of the Pico da Caledônia (2255 m) at an elevation of about 1950 m (6400 ft). VASP Flight 141 was a scheduled service from Recife, Brazil to São Paulo, Brazil with intermediate stops at Vitória and Rio de Janeiro. The wreckage was found few hours later and all 39 occupants have been killed.

Probable cause:

Collision with an obstacle located 35 km to the right of the intended track, for reasons unknown.

Final Report:

Crash of a Vickers 745D Viscount near Parrottsville: 39 killed

Date & Time: Jul 9, 1964 at 1815 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N7405

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Philadelphia – Washington DC – Knoxville – Huntsville

MSN:

103

YOM:

1955

Flight number:

UA823

Location:

Parrottsville

Tennessee

Country:

United States of America

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

15665

Captain / Total hours on type:

1700.00

Copilot / Total flying hours:

7715

Copilot / Total hours on type:

2100

Aircraft flight hours:

23804

Circumstances:

A United Air Lines, Inc., Vickers Viscount 745D, N7405, Flight 823, crashed 2-1/4 rules northeast of Parrottsville Tennessee, at 1815 e.s.t., July 9, 1964. Thirty-four passengers and the four crew members died in the crash. One passenger died of injuries following a free fall from the aircraft before the crash. The aircraft was destroyed by fire and impact damage. Flight 823 was a regularly scheduled operation from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Huntsville, Alabama, with en route stops at Washington, D. C., and Knoxville, Tennessee. The flight operated without any reported discrepancies or difficulties until approximately 1810 e.s.t., when it was observed flying at low altitude trailing smoke. The flight continued in a southwesterly direction and at a point approximately 1.6 nautical rules before the impact site, a passenger was seen falling from the aircraft, and a short time later a cabin window was seen falling. The aircraft was then observed going into a nose-high attitude, the left wing and the nose went down, and the aircraft dived into the ground, exploded, and burned.

Probable cause:

The Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was an uncontrollable in-flight fire of undetermined origin, in the fuselage, which resulted in a loss of control of the aircraft.

Final Report:

Crash of a Vickers 757 Viscount in Toronto

Date & Time: Jun 13, 1964

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

CF-THT

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Toronto-Lester Bowles Pearson

Schedule:

Montreal – Toronto

MSN:

302

YOM:

1958

Flight number:

AC3277

Location:

Ontario

Country:

Canada

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

10060

Captain / Total hours on type:

117.00

Copilot / Total flying hours:

2657

Copilot / Total hours on type:

Circumstances:

On final approach to Toronto-Lester Bowles Pearson Airport, while at an altitude of 700 feet 3,200 meters from the runway 28 threshold, the engine number lost power. The captain decided to shot down the engine but mistakenly stopped the engine number one. Unable to restart the engine number one, the crew increased power on both right engines number three and four but due to an asymmetric thrust, the airplane banked left then stalled and crashed short of runway threshold. All 44 occupants were evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

The reason of the loss of power on the engine number two was caused by the presence of a foreign object the origine could not be determined. However, the reaction of the crew was incorrect due to lack of coordination.

Final Report:

Ground accident of a Vickers 754D Viscount in El Arish

Date & Time: Apr 21, 1964

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

OD-ACX

Flight Phase:

Taxiing

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site: