Croydon

Operator:

Registration:

PH-TBW

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Schedule:

Croydon – Amsterdam

MSN:

20122

YOM:

1944

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On approach to Amsterdam-Schiphol Airport, the crew was forced to make a go around due to poor visibility caused by night and bad weather conditions. A second attempt to land was abandoned as well. During the third attempt to land, the captain realized that his position to the runway was wrong and initiated a sharp turn to the left when the aircraft impacted the runway surface and crashed, bursting into flames. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and all 26 occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

It is believed that the approach configuration was wrong. Poor weather conditions were considered as a contributory factor.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-25-DK in Shere

Date & Time: Nov 6, 1946 at 0845 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

PH-TBO

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Schedule:

Amsterdam – Croydon

MSN:

13638

YOM:

1944

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The aircraft entered the London Control Zone when QBI conditions (compulsory IFR conditions) were in force. When the pilot estimated that he flew over the Croydon MF beacon, he had actually passed it two or three minutes earlier. He continued to fly on a westerly course for three or four minutes until receiving instructions that he was next to land, and that the landing direction was 120 degrees M. The aircraft then began to descend again and after receiving several QDM's the pilot turned on to the course for Croydon. The pilot levelled out at an indicated altitude of 1,200 feet and the undercarriage was lowered. Almost immediately after, whilst still flying in cloud, the aircraft struck the tops of trees and crashed. The pilot had set the altimeter to the sea level pressure instead of airfield pressure. Consequently the aircraft's height would be about 230 feet lower than that indicated by the altimeter.
Source:
http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19461106-0

Probable cause:

Flying into high ground in conditions of low cloud and poor visibility. This must be attributed to errors on the part of the pilot who, preparatory to landing at Croydon Airport in QBI conditions.
Failed to navigate his aircraft with sufficient degree of care to avoid high ground when descending through cloud.
During the descent misinterpreted the height of the aircraft as indicated by his altimeter.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-60-DL in Brussels: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 17, 1946 at 0117 LT

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Registration:

OO-AUR

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Schedule:

Brussels – Croydon

MSN:

4549

YOM:

1942

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Shortly after a night takeoff, while in initial climb, the aircraft stalled and crashed on the roof of a hangar. A crew member was killed while six other occupants were injured.

Probable cause:

Aerodynamic stall after rotation due to insufficient speed. The reason of the loss of speed could not be determined with certainty.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3D in Paris-Le Bourget: 20 killed

Date & Time: Sep 4, 1946 at 0915 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-3

Operator:

Registration:

F-BAXD

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Schedule:

Paris - Croydon

MSN:

42975

YOM:

1946

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After takeoff, the aircraft failed to gain height and hit the roof of a house. It stalled and then crashed in flames near a factory located in Le Blanc-Mesnil, southeast of the airport. Seven occupant (a crew member and six passengers) were rescued while 19 other occupants were killed. A person on the ground was also killed.
Crew killed were:
Joseph Corvaisier, pilot,
Michel Jourdan, radio navigator,
Guy Gaudie, mechanic,
Mrs Vavasseur, stewardess.

Probable cause:

It appears that both engines were not developing full power on takeoff, causing the aircraft to have insufficient speed and power to gain altitude. Unfortunately, investigations were unable to determine the exact cause of the lack of power.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-5-DK on Mt Mistberget: 3 killed

Date & Time: Aug 7, 1946 at 1400 LT

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Registration:

G-AHCS

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Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Croydon – Oslo

MSN:

12348

YOM:

1944

Flight number:

BE530

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The approach to Oslo-Gardermoen Airport was started in poor weather conditions with low visibility due to fog. While descending at an altitude of 2,030 feet, the aircraft hit tree tops and crashed in a dense wooded area located on the east slope of Mt Mistberget, about 10 km north of the Gardermoen Airport. The aircraft was destroyed, three crew members were killed (both pilots and the flight engineer) while all other occupants were injured, some of them seriously.

Probable cause:

The descent was started prematurely, causing the aircraft to fly under the minimum safe altitude when it hit the slope of the mountain. It is considered that the accident was the result of a controlled flight into terrain, and that the crew inexperience and some radio range equipment deficiencies were considered as contributory factors.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-10-DK Dakota III in Warlingham: 8 killed

Date & Time: Feb 13, 1946

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

KG397

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Military

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MSN:

12432

YOM:

1944

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On approach to Croydon, the crew encountered poor visibility with low clouds and mist. While descending at a too low altitude, the aircraft hit a hill and crashed in Warlingham, about 9 km south of Croydon Airfield. Eight occupants were killed while ten others were rescued.

Probable cause:

Premature descent in poor visibility.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-30-DK Dakota C.4 in Coulsdon

Date & Time: Dec 17, 1945

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

KN444

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Croydon - Croydon

MSN:

16164/32912

YOM:

1945

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Circumstances:

The crew (one instructor and two student pilots) were performing a circular training flight in Croydon. Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, the instructor shut off one of the engine. Immediately, the student pilot feathered the propeller but was unable to raise the landing gear. Due to an insufficient speed, the aircraft stalled and crashed in Coulsdon, south of the airport. While all three occupants were unhurt, the aircraft was written off.

Probable cause:

It appears that the crew did not prepare the flight properly and was unable to raise the landing gear because the locking pins were still in place and not remove prior to departure.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-10-DK Dakota C.3 in Croydon: 4 killed

Date & Time: Oct 19, 1945

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

KG439

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

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