Haute-Corse | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

While flying at an altitude of 2,400 meters in poor weather conditions, the twin engine aircraft hit the slope of Mt Cardo located in the center of Corsica. The wreckage was found few hours later and all 19 occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Control flight into terrain.

Crash of an Avro 683 Lancaster I off Bastia: 26 killed

Date & Time: Oct 4, 1945 at 0440 LT

Type of aircraft:

Avro 683 Lancaster

Operator:

Registration:

PA278

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Conington – Naples

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

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Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The aircraft left RAF Conington, Cambridgeshire, at 0030LT bound for Naples, Italy, with a crew of 6 and 19 female passengers, members of the Women's Auxiliary Territorial Service back to Italy following a leave period in the UK. While cruising by night along the east shore of Corsica, the crew informed ground about engine problems and elected to divert to Marseille Airport. Shortly later, it is believed the aircraft went out of control and crashed into the sea some 50 km northeast of Bastia. SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the 26 occupants was found.
Crew (103rd Squadron):
F/Lt Geoffrey Taylor, pilot,
Sgt William John Kennedy, air gunner,
F/Sgt Jack Anthony Reardon, navigator,
F/Sgt Norman Reginald Robbins, wireless operator,
Sgt Richard George Steele, flight engineer,
F/Lt John Percy Whymark, air gunner.
Passengers:
Matron Sadler,
Cpl Willimena Allan,
Pvt Phyllis Kathleen Doris Bacon,
Cpl Heather C. Cosens,
Pvt Stefania Courtman,
Pvt Barbara Diana Cullen,
Jane Simpson Annand Curran,
Pvt Agnes Edwards,
Pvt Rhoda Alice Fraser,
Pvt Bessie Goodman,
Cpl Jill Goring,
Pvt Joan Larkin,
Pvt Alice Lillyman,
Cpl Sheila MacLeod,
Cpl May Eleanor Mann,
Pvt Betty Evelyn Precious,
Cpl Enid Dacia Rice,
S/Sgt Jessie Semark,
Pvt Marion Tayklor.

Probable cause:

Engine problems.

Crash of a Martin B-26A-1 Marauder in Ghisonaccia

Date & Time: Feb 3, 1944

Type of aircraft:

Martin B-26 Marauder

Operator:

Registration:

FK126

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

7370

YOM:

1941

Location:

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Crew on board:

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Circumstances:

Crashed in unknown circumstances. Crew fate unknown.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.60 Moth in Lucciana

Date & Time: Jul 13, 1931

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.60 Moth

Operator:

Lauro Adolfo De Bosis

Registration:

G-EBQE

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Cannes – Rome

MSN:

370

YOM:

1927

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

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Circumstances:

En route from Cannes to Rome and while overflying Corsica, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions and lost his orientation. He attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft crashed in Lucciana, some 15 km southwest of Bastia. The only occupant was uninjured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a SPCA Météore 63 off Alistro

Date & Time: Dec 9, 1928

Type of aircraft:

SPCA Météore 63

Operator:

Registration:

F-AIPA

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Naples – Ajaccio

MSN:

YOM:

1928

Location:

Country:

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Pax on board:

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Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

On a flight from Naples to Ajaccio, while approaching the coast of Corsica, the crew encountered an unexpected situation and was forced to ditch the seaplane in the Mediterranean sea off Alistro. All three crew members were quickly rescued by the crew of the torpedo named 'Simoun'. The aircraft was salvaged but later considered as damaged beyond repair.