Country
code

Isle of Wight

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-1-DK in Saint Boniface Down: 12 killed

Date & Time: May 6, 1962 at 1429 LT
Operator:
Registration:
G-AGZB
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Jersey – Portsmouth
MSN:
12180
YOM:
1943
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
15
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
12
Captain / Total flying hours:
7000
Captain / Total hours on type:
600.00
Circumstances:
While descending to Portsmouth from the south on a flight from Jersey, the crew encountered poor weather conditions. On approach to the Isle of Wight, the pilot-in-command reduced his altitude when the airplane struck a hill and crashed in flames in Saint Boniface Down, northeast of Ventnor. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and both pilots and eight passengers were killed instantly. The stewardess and another passenger subsequently died of their injuries. Five passengers were seriously injured.
Probable cause:
As a result of an error of airmanship the aircraft was flown below a safe altitude in bad weather conditions and struck cloud-covered high ground.
Final Report:

Crash of a Short S.45 Solent 3 in Brook: 43 killed

Date & Time: Nov 15, 1957 at 2255 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
G-AKNU
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Southampton – Lisbon – Funchal
MSN:
S.1299
YOM:
1947
Region:
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
50
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
43
Circumstances:
At approximately 2246LT the aircraft took-off from Southampton Water on a scheduled flight to Lisbon, en route for Madeira, with 50 passengers and a crew of 8. It made a normal climb and three minutes later passed a routine departure message to Southern Air Traffic Control Centre, London. At 2254LT however, the radio officer called the Aquila base at Southampton and transmitted this message: "No. 4 engine feathered. Coming back in a hurry." Approximately one minute later the aircraft crashed into the face of a quarry between Chessell and Brook on the Isle of Wight. The wreckage caught fire and, despite the efforts of people who quickly came to the scene, none of the crew and only fifteen of the passengers survived.
Probable cause:
The accident was caused by the stoppage of the No. 3 engine at a time when the No. 4 engine was stopped. The cause of the stoppage of the No. 4 engine is unknown. The cause of the stoppage of the No. 3 engine was either an electrical failure in the fuel cut-off actuator circuit or the accidental operation of the cut-off switch.
Final Report:

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

Date & Time: Jun 16, 1949
Registration:
G-AGPI
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Southampton – Cowes
MSN:
6885
YOM:
1945
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On approach to Cowes Airfield, the twin engine aircraft overshot, hit tree tops and the roof of a house before crashing in a garden. The aircraft was written off and all seven occupants were slightly injured.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson I in Saint Boniface Down: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 20, 1947
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
G-AIWW
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Croydon – Jersey
YOM:
1946
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Croydon on a cargo flight to Jersey, carrying a load of newspapers. While flying over the Isle of Wight, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with clouds down to 700 feet. Due to low visibility, the pilot did not realize he was off course and his altitude was too low when the twin engine aircraft hit the pylon of a radar and crashed in a prairie located near Saint Boniface Down. Both occupants, pilot E. G. Snowden and radio operator R. J. Corrie were killed.
Probable cause:
The accident was caused by a navigational error on part of the crew.

Crash of a Short S.25 Sunderland III in Brightstone Down: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 19, 1947 at 0805 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
G-AGHW
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Hythe – Poole
YOM:
1943
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
While cruising at low height in poor weather conditions, the seaplane hit the slope of a hill and crashed in Brightstone Down, Isle of Wight. A crew member was killed, three others were injured.
Probable cause:
The accident was the result of flying into high ground in conditions of low cloud and poor visibility . This must be attributed to navigational errors by the pilot.

Crash of an Avro 652A Anson off Niton: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 3, 1947
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
G-AHFV
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Southampton - Saint Peter
YOM:
1946
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
While on a cargo service from Southampton to Guernsey, the twin engine airplane crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea some 24 km southwest of Niton, Isle of Wight. Both crew members were killed.
Crew:
Cpt Shephard, pilot,
Mr. Prim, radio operator.

Crash of a Supermarine Walrus I in Bembridge

Date & Time: Jun 27, 1945
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
L2335
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Bembridge - Bembridge
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, was performing a circular training flight at Bembridge Airport. Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, the seaplane stalled and crashed in flames. The pilot was quickly evacuated to a local hospital while the aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire.
Crew:
F/O A. Walker, daughter of Johnny Walker of the famous Whiskey family.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.52 Hampden I off the Isle of Wight

Date & Time: Feb 15, 1942
Operator:
Registration:
AE397
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Scampton – Scampton
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The airplane departed RAF Scampton on an operation to Mannheim. While returning to base, it ran out of fuel and was ditched of the Isle of Wight. All four crew members were uninjured and rescued.
Crew:
P/O R. A. P. Allesbrook,
Sgt S. Stanbridge,
Sgt J. W. Wilkinson,
Sgt R. L. A. Woolgar.
Probable cause:
Fuel exhaustion.

Crash of a Junkers JU.88D-1 off the Isle of Wight: 4 killed

Date & Time: Nov 15, 1941
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
M2+DH
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
1294
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The bomber was shot down by a Defiant and crashed into The Channel some 30 km off the Isle of Wight. All four crew members were killed.
Crew:
Fw Karl Rethage, pilot,
Gefr Josef Christ, observer,
Ogefr Wolf Hulterhoff, radio operator,
Uffz Friedrich Griss, air gunner.
Probable cause:
Shot down by a British fighter.

Crash of a Junkers JU.88A-5 in Freshwater: 4 killed

Date & Time: May 29, 1941
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
7T+JH
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
8240
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Following an operation to England, the bomber was shot down by enemy fire and crashed near Freshwater, Isle of Wight. All four crew members were killed.
Crew:
Ofw Richard Manigel, pilot,
Fw Friedel Christiansen, radio operator,
Uffz Anton Wagemeyer, mechanic,
Uffz Hans Kübler, air gunner.
Probable cause:
Shot down by enemy fire.