Zone
Drôme

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-30-DK Dakota III in RAF Bovingdon: 3 killed

Date & Time: May 20, 1948 at 2330 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Air Transport Charter
Registration:
G-AJBG
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Valence – Bovingdon
MSN:
14003/25448
YOM:
1944
Location:
Bovingdon AFB
Hertfordshire
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The aircraft left Valence-Chabeuil Airport at 2232LT on a cargo flight to RAF Bovingdon, carrying a crew of four and a load of fruits. On a night approach, the pilot encountered poor visibility due to a low ceiling. During the last turn, the aircraft stalled and crashed in a wooded area located few dozen yards from the airport. A crew member was rescued while three others were killed.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty. However, it is believed that the aircraft stalled during the last turn due to an insufficient speed.

Crash of a Caudron C.445 Goéland in Valence

Date & Time: Dec 15, 1939
Type of aircraft:
Caudron C.440 Goéland
Operator:
Registration:
T-903
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
City
Schedule:
Avord - Istres
MSN:
39
Location:
Valence
Drôme
Country:
France
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
En route from Avord to Istres to transfer the squadron, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with limited visibility due to heavy snow falls. All occupants decided to bail out and abandoned the aircraft that dove into the ground and crashed in the district of Paillassier, in the suburb of Valence. There were no casualties. Crew from the 51st Bomb Squad.

Crash of a Dornier Do J Wal off Valence: 3 killed

Date & Time: Sep 29, 1928 at 1500 LT
Type of aircraft:
Dornier Do J Wal
Operator:
Registration:
I-PLIF
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
66
YOM:
1928
Location:
Valence
Drôme
Country:
France
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The crew was returning to Italy from the Svalbard (Spitzberg) archipelago after taking part to a SAR mission for the Italian Dirigible named 'Italia' that crashed during the summer time. En route, while cruising along the Rhône River, some 2 km south of Valence, weather conditions deteriorated and the visibility was poor due to heavy rain falls. The captain decided to return and made a sharp turn to the right at low altitude. The seaplane hit the power cables of the electricity company of Vercors, stalled and crashed in the Rhône River. Three crew members, among them both pilots, were killed. Two mechanics were slightly injured. The aircraft named 'Marina II' was destroyed.
Crew:
Cpt Gian Luigi Pinzo, pilot, †
Lt Tulio Crosio, copilot, †
Off Giuseppe Della Gatta, engineer, †
Mr. Codoniosto, mechanic,
Mr. Barrachini, mechanic.
Probable cause:
Poor judgement on part of the crew who made a sharp turn at low altitude, allowing the aircraft to hit power cables.
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