Crash of a Short S.23 Empire Flying Boat into the Indian Ocean: 22 killed

Date & Time: Feb 28, 1942
Operator:
Registration:
G-AETZ
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Jakarta – Cilacap – Broome – Darwin – Sydney
MSN:
S.842
YOM:
1937
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
18
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
22
Aircraft flight hours:
7000
Circumstances:
The floatplane named 'Circe' was performing a flight from Indonesia (Jakarta and Cilacap) to Sydney on behalf of Qantas Airways, carrying 18 'refugees', women and children, escaping the war. While in cruising altitude some 400 km south of Cilacap, it was shot down by a Japanese bomber that was performing a maritime patrol flight from Denpasar. Out of control, the Empire Flying Boat crashed into the sea and was not recovered. All 22 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Shot down by a Japanese bomber.

Crash of a Consolidated B-24A-CO Liberator off Plymouth: 9 killed

Date & Time: Feb 15, 1942 at 0850 LT
Operator:
Registration:
G-AGDR
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Cairo – Bournemouth
MSN:
9
YOM:
1942
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Cairo-Almaza Airport on an unscheduled flight to Bournemouth. While approaching the British coast, it was mistakenly shot down by the pilot of a RAF Spitfire and crashed into the sea, eight km off the Eddystone lighthouse, near Plymouth. All nine occupants were killed. RAF said the pilot of the Spitfire was a Polish citizen who misinterpreted the identity of the airplane and thought this was an enemy bomber. Following this tragedy, RAF will increase the aircraft reconnaissance training to avoid such situation.
Crew:
Cpt John Alexander Stuart Hunter, pilot,
Cpt Robert Humphrey Page, pilot,
Horace Reginald Spicer, flight engineer,
F/O Richard John Williamson.
Probable cause:
Mistakenly shot down by a British fighter.

Crash of a Short S.23 Empire Flying Boat off Kupang: 13 killed

Date & Time: Jan 30, 1942 at 0800 LT
Operator:
Registration:
G-AEUH
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Surabaya – Kupang – Darwin
MSN:
S.850
YOM:
1938
Flight number:
XWS160
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
14
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
13
Circumstances:
The airplane was performing a special flight from Surabaya to Darwin with an intermediate stop in Kupang on behalf of Qantas Airways. While approaching Kupang, the floatplane named 'Corio' was shot down by a Japanese fighter and crashed into the sea few hundred yards offshore. The captain, the copilot and three passengers were able to swim to shore and were rescued while 13 other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Shot down by a Japanese fighter.

Crash of a Short S.23 Empire Flying Boat off Sabang: 4 killed

Date & Time: Dec 29, 1941
Operator:
Registration:
G-ADUX
Flight Phase:
MSN:
S.815
YOM:
1935
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
While taking off from the Bay of Sabang, the floatplane collided with debris floating on water. Named 'Cassiopeia', the airplane came to halt and sank. At least four people were killed in the accident.
Probable cause:
Collision with floating debris while taking off.

Crash of a Lockheed 18-08 LodeStar in Tobruk

Date & Time: Dec 21, 1941
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
G-AGCZ
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Heliopolis - Tobruk
MSN:
2023
YOM:
1941
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The airplane crashed for unknown reasons upon landing at Tobruk Airfield. There were no injuries.

Crash of a Lockheed 14-WF62 Super Electra near Khartoum

Date & Time: Aug 4, 1941
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
G-AFGP
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Cairo – Khartoum - Leopoldville
MSN:
1469
YOM:
1938
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While descending to Khartoum Airport, the pilot encountered an unexpected situation and was forced to attempt an emergency landing. The twin engine airplane crash landed and was damaged beyond repair. There were no casualties among the occupants.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.86 Express in Minna

Date & Time: Jun 17, 1941
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
G-ACWC
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Cairo – Leopoldville
MSN:
2304
YOM:
1935
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
En route from Cairo to Leopoldville, the crew encountered an unexpected situation and was forced to attempt an emergency landing. The airplane named 'Delia' crash landed near Minna and was damaged beyond repair. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Lockheed 14-WF62 Super Electra in Al Fashir

Date & Time: Jan 19, 1941
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
G-AFGR
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
1470
YOM:
1938
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances. There were no casualties.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.91 Albatross in Pucklechurch

Date & Time: Oct 6, 1940
Operator:
Registration:
G-AFDL
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Croydon – Whitchurch
MSN:
6805
YOM:
1939
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft was performing a regular schedule flight to the RAF Whitchurch, south of Bristol. While on approach, the crew encountered engine problems and attempted to make an emergency landing in a field located in Pucklechurch, northeast of the airport. Just prior to touchdown, the four engine aircraft impacted a house and crashed in a field. All 12 occupants were uninjured while the aircraft named 'Fingal' was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
All four engines failed on approach after a fuel line ruptured.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3-194B in Heston

Date & Time: Sep 21, 1940
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
G-AGBC
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
1939
YOM:
1937
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed on approach to Heston Airfield in foggy conditions. There were no casualties. The crew was performing an air bridge service between RAF Whitchurch, Heston and Lisbon.