Shaibah AFB (Basrah) | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

While cruising off the Kuwait coast, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed into the sea few km off shore. All six occupants were killed and only few debris were found.
Crew:
G/C H. J. Irens, pilot,
Sgt Radley, signaler.
Passengers:
G/C. A. M. Aberdein,
W/C M. Dean,
S/L R. H. Stevenson,
F/L Cranley.

Probable cause:

Due to lack of evidence, the cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.70 Halifax VIII near Basra

Date & Time: May 9, 1948

Type of aircraft:

Handley Page H.P.70 Halifax VIII

Operator:

Registration:

AP-ABZ

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Delivery

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Desert

MSN:

1374

YOM:

1945

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew started the descent to Shaibah Airbase near Basra when all four engines stopped simultaneously. The captain elected to make an emergency landing in a desert area located 66 km northwest of the airport. The aircraft came to rest and was damaged beyond repair while all three crew members were unhurt. The crew was in charge to deliver the aircraft in Karachi as it was just on the Pakistan register since 4 days.

Probable cause:

Failure of all four engines caused by a fuel exhaustion.

Crash of an Avro 685 York C.1 in Shaibah AFB: 6 killed

Date & Time: Jul 16, 1947 at 2240 LT

Type of aircraft:

Avro 685 York

Operator:

Registration:

G-AGNR

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

London – Luqa – Cairo – Basra – Karachi – New Delhi – Calcutta

MSN:

1219

YOM:

1945

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Enroute from Cairo to Basra, the crew was informed by ATC about poor weather in Basra and was instructed to divert to the Shaibah AFB located east of Basra. On approach by night, the pilot was unable to locate the runway and was forced to abandon the landing procedure for a go around. A second attempt to land and a third approach few minutes later were abandoned as well. During the fourth trial, the captain reduced his altitude in an attempt to establish a visual contact with the ground when the four engine aircraft hit the ground and bounced. It gain few meters, flew over a wooded area and eventually stalled and crashed 740 yards further, in a desert area. All six crew members were killed while 12 passengers were injured.

Probable cause:

An error on the part of the pilot in continuing the flight in unsuitable weather conditions coupled with a lack of cooperation on part of the Air Traffic Control.

Crash of a Bristol 142 Blenheim I at RAF Shaibah

Date & Time: Aug 3, 1939

Type of aircraft:

Bristol 142 Blenheim

Operator:

Registration:

L1384

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Shaibah - Shaibah

MSN:

8667

YOM:

1938

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was completing a local night training mission at Shaibah Airbase. On approach, the airplane was too low and crashed short of runway. All three crew members were uninjured but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.