Hamilton

Just after liftoff from Kindley Field in Hamilton, the airplane stalled and crashed in the Hamilton's harbor. All eight crew members were rescued while the aircraft was lost.

The crew was performing a flight from England to Florida with an intermediate stop at Hamilton-Kindley Field Airport, Bermuda. On final approach, the four engine aircraft was too low, hit the ground short of runway threshold and came to rest in flames. All 50 occupants were evacuated safely while the aircraft was destroyed by fire.

While cruising at an altitude of 11,000 feet enroute from Hamilton to Lajes, Azores Islands, the manifold pressure on the right engine dropped from 30 to 17 inches. The captain decided to return to Hamilton (Bermuda) for a safe landing but twenty minutes later, the right engine backfired while the manifold pressure increased to 20 inches. In such conditions, he decided to shot down the engine and feathered its propeller. Less than an hour later, while flying at an altitude of 3,000 feet, the left engine started smoking and lost oil. The crew eventually decided to ditch the aircraft near the weather station 'Echo' located in the Atlantic Ocean, east of the Bermuda archipelago. The aircraft sank and was lost while all ten crew members were rescued and evacuated by the crew of the USCGC Coos Bay.

The aircraft was parked at Rotorua Airport and ready for its schedule flight to Hamilton Airport (Rukuhia). During engine start up, a fire erupted from the left engine and the fire spread to the dry grass. The aircraft caught fire and all five occupants were able to vacate the cabin before the aircraft would be completely destroyed by fire.

The four engine aircraft christened 'Star Ariel' left Hamilton, Bermuda, at 0841LT bound for Kingston, Jamaica. About one hour into the flight, the crew informed ATC about his departure time and gave his ETA in Kingston at 1410LT. At this time, the aircraft was flying at an assigned altitude of 18,000 feet in good weather conditions. Another message was exchanged few minutes later. As the aircraft failed to arrive in Kingston, SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended a week later as no trace of the aircraft nor the 20 occupants was found. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were good with no clouds above 10,000 feet, icing conditions at 14,000 feet and a 36 knots wind from the north with no turbulence.

On landing off Wolfe Island, the single engine aircraft hit a stake in water and came to rest. While both occupants were unhurt, the aircraft owned by Donald Barnes was damaged beyond repair.

Christened 'Star Tiger', the four engine aircraft left Horta, in the Azores Islands, at 1534LT bound for Hamilton, Bermuda. At 0200LT, about 10,5 hours into the flight, the navigator Cyril Ellison fixed its position and learned that they too had been blown off course and were crabbing away from Bermuda. He informed the pilot McMillan about a new course which turned the aircraft directly into a gale. However, McMillan still expected to reach Bermuda with at least an hour's worth of fuel remaining upon landing. At 0304LT, the radio officer Robert Tuck requested a radio bearing from Bermuda, but the signal was not strong enough to obtain an accurate reading. He repeated the request eleven minutes later, and this time the Bermuda radio operator was able to obtain a bearing of 72 degrees, accurate to within 2 degrees. The Bermuda operator transmitted this information, and Tuck acknowledged receipt at 0317LT. This was the last radio contact with the aircraft and its crew. As the aircraft failed to arrive in Hamilton, SAR operations were conducted but were eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the 31 occupants was found.

After takeoff from Hamilton bound for Havana, while climbing to a height of 9,000 feet, the engine number four caught fire. The crew elected to return to Hamilton-Kindley Field for an emergency landing. On final approach, the aircraft stalled and crashed few hundred yards short of runway threshold. All 16 occupants were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

While approaching Bermuda on a flight from London to Havana, the crew was instructed by ATC to stack due to poor weather conditions (thunderstorm). After 90 minutes, the crew was cleared to land at Hamilton-Kindley Field and started the approach that was completed in marginal weather conditions and poor visibility. Too low, the four engine aircraft christened 'Star Trail' hit a radio mast, stalled and crashed few hundred yards short of runway. All 20 occupants were rescued while the aircraft was written off.

Crashed on takeoff at Hamilton-Kindley Field Airport following an engine failure. There were no casualties but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.