Country
Belgium

Crash of a Noorduyn UC-64A Norseman near Mostar

Date & Time: Sep 27, 1948
Type of aircraft:
Noorduyn Norseman
Operator:
SOMACO
Registration:
43-35417
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Delivery
Site:
Mountains
MSN:
491
YOM:
1944
Location:
Mostar
East Herzegovina
Country:
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was in charge to deliver the aircraft to the Israel Air Force. En route, the single engine aircraft hit a mountain and crashed near Mostar. The crew fate remains unknown and the registration is unconfirmed.

Crash of a Noorduyn UC-64A Norseman in Rome: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 20, 1948 at 1130 LT
Type of aircraft:
Noorduyn Norseman
Operator:
SOMACO
Registration:
NC79822
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Delivery
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Brussels – Rome – Tel Aviv
MSN:
527
YOM:
1944
Location:
Rome-Urbe
Lazio
Country:
Italy
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a delivery flight from Brussels to Tel Aviv via Rome-Urbe Airport. Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, the aircraft suffered an explosion and crashed near the runway end. Both pilots were killed and the aircraft was destroyed. The crew consisted of Leonard Cohen and George Frederick Beurling, a Canadian pilot, hero from WWII.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty. However, the authorities did not exclude the hypothesis that a bomb was placed on board the aircraft.
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