Crash of a Bristol 170 Freighter 21E in Los Barrios: 3 killed
Date & Time:
Apr 11, 1948
Operator:
Registration:
F-BENG
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Bordeaux – Gibraltar – Casablanca
MSN:
12812
YOM:
1947
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Shortly after a night takeoff from Gibraltar, while climbing to an altitude of 2,500 to 3,000 feet, the twin engine aircraft hit the slope of a mountain located in Los Barrios, northwest of Algeciras. The aircraft was destroyed and all three crew members were killed. They were performing a cargo flight from Bordeaux to Casablanca with an intermediate stop in Gibraltar. The aircraft was carrying a load of four tons of various goods.
Probable cause:
The published procedure for a departure from runway 27 at Gibraltar Airport states that crews have to make a turn to the left after takeoff in order to avoid the mountains near Algeciras. For unknown reason, the crew continued a straight in climb out after lift off, causing the aircraft to hit the mountain.
