Brindisi | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The aircraft was on its way from Athens-Elefterios Venizelos Airport to Rome with 3 passengers and 3 crew members on board. While at cruising level over the Adriatic Sea, the crew informed ATC about burn smell on board (possible smoke), declared an emergency and elected to divert to Brindisi-Papola Casale Airport. Upon arrival at Brindisi, weather conditions were poor with rain showers and strong crosswinds. In the meantime, the runway 14/32 (3,330 meters long) was closed to traffic due to works in progress. After landing on runway 23, the aircraft skidded, veered off runway and lost its right main gear before coming to rest. Three occupants were evacuated to local hospital with minor injuries while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair due to severe damages to the right wing and the right part of the fuselage. Brand new, it was delivered this year and completed 100 flying hours only.

G-FRAT

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Crash of a Douglas DC-4-1009 off Brindisi: 6 killed

Date & Time: Jul 9, 1962 at 2342 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-4

Operator:

Registration:

OD-AEC

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

London – Frankfurt – Brindisi – Beirut

MSN:

42918

YOM:

1946

Flight number:

MV104

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

15000

Captain / Total hours on type:

5000.00

Copilot / Total flying hours:

2700

Circumstances:

Following a normal takeoff from Brindisi Airport runway 05, the airplane did not gain height as expected. After reaching a height of 60 m it began to descend gradually, in a slightly banked to port attitude, and struck the sea about 2,250 m from the end of the runway, 4° left of the extended runway centerline. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces and a fire broke out. All six crew members were killed.

Probable cause:

The accident was probably caused by a loss of power on No.1 and 2 engines following takeoff, which resulted in a gradual loss of height. The probable slow psycho-physical reaction of the crew, due to fatigue, may have prevented perception of the danger and the timely execution of manoeuvres to prevent the accident, or minimize its consequences.

Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47 off Brindisi: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jan 20, 1960

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

MM61770

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from Brindisi Airport, while climbing, the airplane crashed into the sea few dozen yards off shore. SAR were conducted but eventually suspended three days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the crew was found. The wreckage was finally located in a depth of 18 meters about 1,8 km off shore.

Crash of an Avro 688 Super Trader 4B in Brindisi: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 27, 1959 at 0609 LT

Type of aircraft:

Avro 689 Tudor

Operator:

Registration:

G-AGRG

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

1255

YOM:

1945

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was completing a cargo flight from England to Australia and made an intermediate stop at Brindisi Airport. The aircraft started the takeoff from runway 32 and swerved left off the runway after a 550 m ground run. Rough terrain caused the left landing gear leg to be torn off. The plane came to rest at 820 m past the runway threshold and burst into flames. Two crew members were killed while four others were injured. The aircraft was destroyed by fire.

Probable cause:

Strong crosswinds with gusts and the ground condition on the edge of the runway.

Crash of an Avro 685 York in Brindisi

Date & Time: Jan 5, 1959

Type of aircraft:

Avro 685 York

Operator:

Registration:

OD-ACE

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Beirut – Brindisi – London

MSN:

SET50

YOM:

1946

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

After touchdown at Brindisi Airport, the four engine airplane went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest. All three crew members were injured and the aircraft was written off.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.70 Halton I on the Mt Hohgant: 6 killed

Date & Time: Apr 16, 1950 at 0628 LT

Type of aircraft:

Handley Page H.P.70 Halton I

Operator:

Worldair Carriers

Registration:

G-AHDX

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Amsterdam – Brindisi

MSN:

1378

YOM:

1945

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The aircraft was performing a cargo flight from Amsterdam to Brindisi, carrying a load of 241 Philips radios. While flying over Switzerland by night and foggy conditions, the aircraft hit the slope of the Mt Hohgant (1,964 meters high) located about 10 km northwest of Brienz. The aircraft was destroyed and all six occupants were killed. Five bodies were quickly recovered while the sixth body was eventually found on May 13, 1950.
Crew:
Bryan Hilton Lathom-Smith, pilot,
Charles Henry Bowker, navigator,
Keith Allum, radio operator,
David Stanforth, flight engineer,
K. S. Wright, steward.
Passenger:
Arturo Di Giulio.

Probable cause:

Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.70 Halifax VIII in Brindisi

Date & Time: Jan 20, 1950

Type of aircraft:

Handley Page H.P.70 Halifax VIII

Operator:

Registration:

G-AITC

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

1381

YOM:

1946

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Crash landed for unknown reason. All six crew members were uninjured.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-50-DL near Šibenik: 5 killed

Date & Time: Nov 12, 1944

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

42-24203

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

MSN:

10065

YOM:

1943

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Crashed in unknown circumstances near Šibenik, killing all five crew members.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.57 Halifax II in Cerreto d’Esi: 5 killed

Date & Time: Mar 2, 1944

Type of aircraft:

Handley Page H.P.57 Halifax II

Operator:

Registration:

HR660

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Brindisi - Brindisi

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was performing a parachute supply mission to the Italian Resistance in the region of Cerreto d’Esi on behalf of the 148th Squadron based in Brindisi. Shortly after the launch, the aircraft was hit by Flak, went out of control and crashed in a field. Five crew were killed while five others were injured.

Probable cause:

Shot down by Flak.