Country
Crash of an Amiot 123 in Horta: 1 killed
Date & Time:
Jul 13, 1929 at 0800 LT
Registration:
SP-APO
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Paris – New York
MSN:
1
YOM:
1929
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
Both pilots Casimir Kubala and Ludwik Idzikowski attempted to cross the Atlantic Ocean from Paris to New York. A first attempt was made in July 1928 without success. Named 'Marszałek Piłsudski', the aircraft was bought by the Polish Government and was equipped with the Polish Air Force roundel. The crew departed Paris-Le Bourget Airport at 0345LT bound to the west to the Atlantic Ocean. More than an hour later, the engine surged and the crew decided to divert to the Azores Islands. Four hours later, the engine was about to fail so the crew diverted to Horta. On final approach, the aircraft was too low and hit a rocky wall short of runway. It overturned and came to rest upside down, bursting into flames. While Casimir Kubala was slightly injured, Ludwik Idzikowski was killed. The Amiot 123 was built at one example expressly for the Polish Government to attempt this cross Atlantic flight.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.
Crash of a Fokker F7b/3m in Baghdad: 1 killed
Date & Time:
Jul 31, 1928
Registration:
P-PAAA
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Dęblin – Baghdad
MSN:
5057
YOM:
1928
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a flight from Poland to Iraq on behalf of the Polish Ministry of Communications. On final approach to Baghdad, the aircraft hit a sand dune, overturned and came to rest upside down. A crew member was killed while both others were injured.
Probable cause:
It appears that the crew was approaching the wrong field and that his action was inadequate. Poor visibility seems to be a contributory factor.
