Zone
Virginia

Crash of a De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide near Alexandria: 7 killed

Date & Time: Feb 6, 1945
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide
Operator:
Registration:
SU-ABP
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Desert
Schedule:
Cairo – Alexandria
MSN:
6298
YOM:
1935
Location:
Alexandria
Alexandria
Country:
Egypt
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
Enroute, the twin engine aircraft christened 'Al Kahira' crashed in unknown circumstances some 60 km south of Alexandria. All 7 occupants were killed.

Crash of a Bristol 130 Bombay I near Alexandria: 10 killed

Date & Time: Aug 7, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Bristol 130 Bombay
Operator:
Registration:
L5814
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Desert
Location:
Alexandria
Alexandria
Country:
Egypt
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
10
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
The aircraft was performing a flight within Egypt when it was attacked by the pilot of a German fighter. The crew attempted to make an emergency landing but the aircraft eventually crashed in an inhabited area. While all seven crew members were rescued, all ten passengers were killed.
Crew (216th Squadron):
Sgt J. James, pilot,
Sgt Lawson, pilot,
Sgt H. Daniels, wireless operator,
Sgt Bowles,
LAC J. C. Manning,
LAC P. N. Howarth 1.
Passengers:
Lt General W. H. E. Gott,
Gnr J. Cleary,
Gnr T. McDonald,
Spr F. Price,
Sigmn J. T. Cox,
Trp J. J. Lamb,
Pte W. Wilson,
Pte R. T. Charlesworth,
Pte A. R. Saggers,
Cpl G. D. Dodd.
Probable cause:
Shot down by a German fighter.

Crash of a North American B-25A Mitchell in Hope: 6 killed

Date & Time: Mar 11, 1942 at 2105 LT
Type of aircraft:
North American B-25 Mitchell
Operator:
Registration:
40-2208
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
San Antonio - Alexandria
MSN:
62A-2877
YOM:
1940
Location:
Hope
Texas
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The airplane departed San Antonio-Duncan Field on a flight to Alexandria-Esler Airport, carrying six crew members. While cruising at night and relative low altitude, the airplane went out of control and crashed one mile northeast of Hope. All six crew members were killed.
Crew:
2nd Lt Dana W. Bradford, pilot,
2nd Lt Ronald C. Hocking, pilot,
1st Lt Angus M. Johnston, flight engineer,
Sgt Stanley A. Smith, radio operator,
M/Sgt Charles G. Fraser, observer,
T/Sgt Earl F. Ricks, observer.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined.

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
Alexandria
Country:
Egypt
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
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 Short S.23 Empire Flying Boat off Athens: 3 killed

Date & Time: Oct 1, 1937
Type of aircraft:
Short S.23 Empire Flying Boat
Operator:
Registration:
G-ADVC
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Alexandria – Athens
MSN:
S.820
YOM:
1937
Location:
Athens
Attica / Αττική
Country:
Greece
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The approach to the harbor of Phaleron in Athens was initiated in excellent weather conditions with sun, no wind and a calm sea. The float plane named 'Courtier' landed hard, broke off and sank. Three passengers drowned and 11 other occupants were rescued.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the the pilot-in-command may have suffered an optical illusion while trying to land on a mirror like sea.

Crash of a Short S.17 Kent off Mirabella: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 22, 1936
Type of aircraft:
Short S.17 Kent
Operator:
Registration:
G-ABFA
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Alexandria – Mirabella – Brindisi – Southampton
MSN:
S.758
YOM:
1930
Location:
Mirabella
Crete / Κρήτη
Country:
Greece
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Named 'Scipio', the float plane was landing in the bay of Mirabella harbor, Crete when it was caught by strong winds. It struck waves, came to a stop and partially sank with broken wings. Two passengers were killed while nine other occupants were injured.
Those killed were:
Lt Richard Glen Wilson Dickson,
Thomas Alexander Cecil (Whimmie) Forbes.
Probable cause:
Loss of control following strong lateral winds while landing on rough sea.

Crash of a Short S.8 Calcutta off Alexandria: 12 killed

Date & Time: Dec 31, 1935 at 1915 LT
Type of aircraft:
Short S.8 Calcutta
Operator:
Registration:
G-AASJ
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
London – Brindisi – Mirabella – Alexandria
MSN:
S.752
YOM:
1929
Location:
Alexandria
Alexandria
Country:
Egypt
Region:
Africa
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
12
Circumstances:
On final approach to Alexandria at night, the float plane stalled and crashed into the sea, some two km offshore. The captain was injured and all twelve other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Failure of all three engines on approach due to a fuel exhaustion.

Crash of a Short S.17 Kent in Brindisi: 12 killed

Date & Time: Nov 9, 1935
Type of aircraft:
Short S.17 Kent
Operator:
Registration:
G-ABFB
Flight Phase:
Parking
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
London – Brindisi – Alexandria
MSN:
S.759
YOM:
1930
Location:
Brindisi
Apulia
Country:
Italy
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
10
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
12
Circumstances:
Just prior to takeoff, while the crew was preparing the departure, a fire erupted. The aircraft named 'Sylvanus' exploded in the harbor of Brindisi and was rapidly consumed by fire. A passenger was injured while 12 other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
According to the Italian Authorities, the fire erupted while the ground crew just ended tanking up.
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