Country
Maldivian Islands
code

South Province

Crash of an Avro 696 Shackleton MR.1 at Gan AFB

Date & Time: May 15, 1962
Type of aircraft:
Avro 696 Shackleton
Operator:
Registration:
VP294
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Gan - Gan
YOM:
1951
Location:
Gan AFB (Addu Atoll)
South Province
Country:
Maldivian Islands
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While performing a maritime patrol flight over the Indian Ocean, the crew encountered technical problems and decided to divert to GAN AFB in the Maldivian Islands. The emergency landing was completed without further problem and there were no injuries. However, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.67 Hastings C.1 off Gan AFB

Date & Time: Mar 1, 1960
Type of aircraft:
Handley Page H.P.67 Hastings
Operator:
Registration:
TG579
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Colombo - Gan AFB
MSN:
70
YOM:
1949
Location:
Gan AFB (Addu Atoll)
South Province
Country:
Maldivian Islands
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
14
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Weather conditions at Gan AFB were poor with thunderstorm activity, heavy rain falls and low visibility. The captain decided to abandon the approach and made a go around before following a holding circuit for about 20 minutes, waiting for weather improvement. During a second approach, the crew failed to realize his altitude was insufficient (420 feet below the glide) when the airplane struck the water surface about three km short of runway threshold. All 20 occupants were evacuated while the aircraft was lost.
Probable cause:
Wrong approach configuration on part of the crew who descended below the glide in marginal weather conditions without visual contact with runway. Crew fatigue and impairment of vision by rain were considered as contributing factors.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.67 Hastings at Gan AFB

Date & Time: Jul 3, 1959
Type of aircraft:
Handley Page H.P.67 Hastings
Operator:
Registration:
TG580
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Katunayake – Gan
MSN:
71
YOM:
1949
Location:
Gan AFB (Addu Atoll)
South Province
Country:
Maldivian Islands
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On touchdown, the airplane hit the ground. On impact, the undercarriage were sheared off and the airplane slid on its belly for few dozen yards before coming to rest. There were no casualties but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. It was reported that a cross wind was gusting to 23 knots at the time of the accident, which may contribute to the accident.
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