Country

Crash of a Short S.8 Calcutta off Alexandria: 12 killed

Date & Time: Dec 31, 1935 at 1915 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
G-AASJ
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
London – Brindisi – Mirabella – Alexandria
MSN:
S.752
YOM:
1929
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
12
Circumstances:
On final approach to Alexandria at night, the float plane stalled and crashed into the sea, some two km offshore. The captain was injured and all twelve other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Failure of all three engines on approach due to a fuel exhaustion.

Crash of a Short S.8 Calcutta off La Spezia: 7 killed

Date & Time: Oct 26, 1929 at 1800 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
G-AADN
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Naples – Genoa
MSN:
S748
YOM:
1928
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
Named 'City of Rome', the seaplane was performing an flight from Naples to Genoa, carrying five passengers and two crew members. While cruising along the Italian coast in poor weather conditions, the crew encountered unknown technical problems and elected to ditch the airplane in the sea, some 15 km off La Spezia. Upon landing, the airplane hit high waves and overturned, killing all seven occupants. While being towed by authorities, the aircraft sank and was lost.
Probable cause:
Unknown technical problems forced the crew to ditch the airplane.