Alghero | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

While on a mission over the Mediterranean Sea, the Marauder was shot down by the pilot of a German Messerschmitt Me.109. The captain was able to leave the combat area and started a descent to the Alghero Airport but was unable to lower the landing gear. Thus, the twin engine aircraft belly landed and skidded for several yards before coming to rest. While the aircraft was damaged beyond repair, all eight crew members were unhurt.
Crew (14th Squadron):
P/O Herschell 7.

Probable cause:

Shot down by a German fighter.

Crash of a CRDA CANT Z.506 Airone into the Mediterranean Sea: 14 killed

Date & Time: Feb 13, 1938 at 1430 LT

Type of aircraft:

CRDA CANT Z.506 Airone

Operator:

Registration:

I-ORIA

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Cadiz – Pollença –Alghero – Rome

MSN:

297

YOM:

1936

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The float plane departed Cadiz on a flight to Rome with intermediate stops in Pollença (Balearic Islands) and Alghero, Sardinia, carrying 10 passengers and four crew members. It took off from Pollença around noon. At 1430LT, while cruising over the Mediterranean Sea, the radio operator reported his position and informed ground he was encountering very bad weather conditions with storms. This was the last transmission received from the crew. As the airplane failed to arrive in Alghero, SAR operations were initiated but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the 14 occupants was ever found.