Crash of a Vickers 607 Valetta C.1 at RAF Lyneham: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 20, 1954
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VL282
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Lyneham – Istres
MSN:
309
YOM:
1948
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from RAF Lyneham, while in initial climb, the airplane pitched up steeply, stalled and crashed in a field located two miles from the airstrip. The copilot was killed while eleven other occupants were injured.
Probable cause:
Loss of control during initial climb caused by the failure of an elevator.

Crash of a Vickers 607 Valetta T.3 near RAF Bovingdon: 16 killed

Date & Time: Jan 6, 1954 at 1720 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
WJ474
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Bovingdon – Thorney Island
MSN:
599
YOM:
22
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
13
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
16
Circumstances:
The crew was flying back to his base at RAF Thorney Island after he took part to a rugby game at RAF Bovingdon. The departure was completed in poor weather conditions with low visibility due to snow falls. While climbing to a height of 400 feet, the pilot-in-command made a turn to the left when the aircraft hit trees and crashed in a wooded area located five miles north of the airfield. A passenger was seriously injured while 16 other occupants were killed. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact, except the rear part of the fuselage.
Probable cause:
Investigations were unable to determine the exact cause of the accident. However, the following findings were reported:
- Low visibility due to snow falls,
- The plane was carrying one extra passenger, despite having only 16 passenger seats. However, this was not considered as a contributory factor,
- weather was not considered as a factor,
- An assumption was made that the pilot was trying to fly within sight of the ground, in conditions of poor visibility.

Crash of a Vickers 607 Valetta C.1 in Aden

Date & Time: Jan 2, 1954
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VX538
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
YOM:
1950
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Khormaksar Airport in Aden, while in initial climb, the crew raised the landing gear according to the published procedures when the airplane stalled and crashed on its belly. It slid for dozen yards before coming to rest. There were no casualties but the aircraft was written off.

Crash of a Vickers 607 Valetta C.1 near Luqa: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 16, 1953
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VX575
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Luqa - Luqa
YOM:
1950
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Luqa Airport on a local training flight, while climbing to a height of 50 feet, the right engine oversped. The pilot elected to shut down the engine and to feather the propeller but was unable to do so. The crew decided to return for a safe landing but was eventually forced to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed in a field located 8 km north of the airport and came to rest in flames. The navigator was killed while four other crew members were injured.
Probable cause:
Technical issue on the right engine after takeoff. Propeller oversped, crew unable to feather the propeller and to shot down the engine.

Crash of a Vickers 607 Valetta C.1 off Singapore: 7 killed

Date & Time: Nov 11, 1953
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VX490
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Singapore - Singapore
YOM:
1950
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The crew (three pilots and four engineers) was conducting a post maintenance test flight. Shortly after takeoff from Singapore-Changi Airport, the pilot requested the permission to climb to 4,000 feet. Few seconds later, the contact was lost when the airplane crashed into the sea about 8 km south of the airfield. Few debris were found in water and all seven occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The accident occurred in poor weather conditions with thunderstorm activity, lightning and turbulence. It is believed that the aircraft may have been struck by lightning. The crew did not send any distress call prior to the accident.

Crash of a Vickers 607 Valetta C.1 in Aqaba

Date & Time: Oct 12, 1953
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VW804
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
365
YOM:
8
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While completing a mission over the region of Aqaba, an engine failed in flight. The captain decided to divert to Aqaba for a safe landing but landed on the wrong runway (too short) referring to the wind component. After touchdown, the aircraft encountered difficulties to stop. The captain raised the landing gear, causing the aircraft to sink on its belly. It slid for several yards, overran and came to rest in a sandy area past the runway end. There were no casualties but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine failure in flight.

Crash of a Vickers 607 Valetta C.1 near Bertam: 8 killed

Date & Time: Sep 26, 1953
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
WD164
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
MSN:
493
YOM:
13
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a supply mission to the members of a police station located in an isolated area in the Bertam region. While flying at low height, the crew encountered poor visibility due to foggy conditions when the aircraft crashed on a hilly and wooded terrain. The wreckage was found few days later and all eight occupants have been killed.

Crash of a Vickers 607 Valetta C.1 in Aqaba

Date & Time: Aug 4, 1953
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VX515
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
YOM:
1950
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After touchdown at Aqaba-King Hussein Airport, the wheel detached from the left main gear that later collapsed. The aircraft came to rest on its belly and was damaged beyond repair. There were no casualties.
Probable cause:
Loss of the left main wheel on touchdown.

Crash of a Vickers 607 Valetta C.1 in Fāyid AFB

Date & Time: Jul 29, 1953
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VW180
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Fāyid - Fāyid
MSN:
336
YOM:
31
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Following a failure of the tail wheel jack during takeoff, a hydraulic leak occurred. While returning to Fāyid AFB, the undercarriage could not be locked down and an emergency landing was carried out. There were no injuries.

Crash of a Vickers 607 Valetta C.1 in Fāyid AFB

Date & Time: Jun 16, 1953
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VW846
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Fāyid - Fāyid
MSN:
407
YOM:
9
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was involved in a local training sortie at Fāyid AFB. Shortly after takeoff, while climbing, the pilot informed ground about an engine failure and elected to return for a safe landing when the second engine failed as well. The pilot-in-command reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing in a desert area. On touchdown, the airplane lost its undercarriage and came to rest in flames. All three crew members evacuated safely while the aircraft was destroyed by fire.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure.