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.
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