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Crash of a Vickers 634 Viking 1B off Heraklion: 3 killed

Date & Time: Aug 24, 1960
Type of aircraft:
Vickers Viking
Operator:
Registration:
G-AMNK
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Birmingham – Nice – Brindisi – Heraklion – Cairo – Jedda – Aden
MSN:
210
YOM:
1947
Location:
Heraklion
Crete / Κρήτη
Country:
Greece
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a cargo flight from Birmingham to Aden with intermediate stops at Nice, Brindisi, Heraklion, Cairo and Jedda. The departure from Heraklion Airport was completed by night from runway 27. Following a takeoff roll of 1,800 meters, the twin engine aircraft lifted off and continued the initial climb to a height of 100 feet when the crew encountered technical problems with the engines. The airplane bank left and crashed into the sea, killing all three crew members.
Probable cause:
The cause of the engine failure was not established but the most likely reason appears to be a defective fuel or ignition system. The reason why it was not possible for the aircraft to maintain safe flight after the failure of the engine remains unknown.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-5-DK in Birmingham

Date & Time: Mar 5, 1960
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
G-AMSF
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
14380/25825
YOM:
1944
Location:
Birmingham
West Midlands
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
28
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
At liftoff, while in initial climb, the airplane banked right, causing the right wing tip to struck the ground. The aircraft struck the ground and came to rest with a small fire on the left engine that was quickly extinguished. All 31 occupants were evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Failure of the right engine during takeoff.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.89A Dragon Rapide in Saint Albans

Date & Time: Jul 7, 1959
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide
Operator:
Registration:
G-AHPT
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
6478
YOM:
1946
Location:
Saint Albans
Hertfordshire
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
While attempting to land on the M1 highway still under construction, the airplane crashed in flames. The pilot and a passenger were killed while four other occupants were injured. The aircraft was destroyed by fire. It was performing a special flight on behalf of Plascom/Tarmac Ltd.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.89A Dragon Rapide in Berkswell

Date & Time: Oct 7, 1956
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide
Operator:
Registration:
G-AGLR
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Paris – Birmingham
MSN:
6781
YOM:
1944
Location:
Birmingham
West Midlands
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to Birmingham Airport, both engines failed simultaneously. The crew elected to make an emergency landing but the aircraft crashed in flames in a field located in Berkswell, about 5 miles short of runway 33 threshold. While all nine occupants were injured, the aircraft was destroyed by fire. It is believed the accident was caused by a fuel exhaustion but fuel remained probably in auxiliary tank as the aircraft caught fire.
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