Dornier Do J Wal | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The crew departed Morokrembangan (Surabaya harbour) on a test flight over the Java Sea. En route, the crew encountered technical problems with the elevators and attempted to ditch the aircraft that crashed in the sea off Madura Island. Three crew members were rescued and two others were killed.

Crash of a Dornier Do J Wal off Punto Fijo

Date & Time: Mar 15, 1927

Type of aircraft:

Dornier Do J Wal

Operator:

Compania Aeromaritima de Colombia

Registration:

A-20

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Delivery

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Willemstad - Barranquilla

MSN:

18/35

YOM:

1924

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The crew was performing a delivery flight from Willemstad (Curaçao) to Barranquilla. While overflying the Paraguaná Province, in Venezuela, the crew encountered technical problems and made an emergency landing off Punto Fijo. All three occupants were unhurt but the aircraft named 'Pacifico' was seriously damaged and later lost by sea.

Probable cause:

Technical failure.

Crash of a Dornier Do J Wal in the North Pole

Date & Time: May 21, 1926

Type of aircraft:

Dornier Do J Wal

Operator:

Norsk Luftseiladsforening

Registration:

N-24

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Geographical / Geophysical / Scientific

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Ny-Ålesund - North Pole

MSN:

YOM:

1925

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The crew was taking part to an expedition to the North Pole on behalf of the program of the Norwegian Scientist Roald Amundsen. The airplane departed Ny-Ålesund, in the Svalbard Archipelago, on a flight to the North Pole. After a flight of eight hours, the crew encountered engine problems and completed a safe landing on the ice. It is believed that the aircraft encountered problems on takeoff and landing as well. As the fuselage was damaged, it was decided to abandon the aircraft on the ice and the crew later returned to Norway with another Dornier Do J Wal registered N-25.
Crew:
Leif Ragnar Dietrichson, pilot,
Lincoln Ellsworth, navigator,
Oskar Omdal, mechanic.

Probable cause:

Engine problem.

Crash of a Dornier DO J Wal in the Atlantic Ocean

Date & Time: Aug 21, 1924

Type of aircraft:

Dornier Do J Wal

Operator:

Registration:

I-DEOR

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Pisa - Saint-Raphaël - Lausanne - Strasbourg - Rotterdam - Hull - Stromness - Feroe Islands - Reykjavik

MSN:

YOM:

1924

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Circumstances:

The crew departed Pisa, Italy, last 25 July to perform a transatlantic flight to Canada on behalf of the 'Commissariato Aeronautica', the ancient name of the Italian Air Force. The seaplane made stops in Saint-Raphaël, south of France, Lausanne (quai of Ouchy on Lake of Geneva), Strasbourg, Rotterdam, Hull, Stromness (Orkneys Islands), Feroe Islands and Reykjavik. While flying over the Sea of Labrador, some 180 km south of Cape Farewell, Greenland, the crew encountered engine problems and elected to make an emergency landing. The twin engine seaplane landed safely and the crew sent several mayday message. All five occupants were later rescued and evacuated by the crew of 'USS Richmond' which deviated from his route to the accident site. In a rough sea, the seaplane sank later and was lost and not recovered.
Crew:
Lt Antonio Locatelli, pilot,
Lt Crosio,
Lt Marescalchi,
Mr. Braccini, flight engineer,
Mr. Falcinelli, flight engineer.

Probable cause:

Engine failure.