Port Said

While approaching Cairo Intl Airport following an uneventful flight from Athens, the crew was instructed by ATC to divert to Port-Said due to poor weather conditions at destination. The crew continued to Port-Said and on approach, the twin engine airplane went out of control and crashed into the Manzala Lake located few km from the airfield. All four crew members and four passengers were killed while 18 other occupants were injured.

The crew left Alexandria Airport at 1600LT on January 1st on an anti-submarine mission between Alexandria and Port Said. Several radio contacts were made at 1730LT and 2345LT. Nothing further was heard from 0230LT to 0830LT. In the next morning, the wreckage was spotted at 1100LT off Port Said. The seaplane crashed in unknown circumstances, killing all 12 crew members.
Crew (230th Squadron):
F/O R. H. Holcombe, pilot,
F/O R. W. Meaton, pilot,
F/O L. S. Clayton, pilot,
Sgt L. J. Webber, observer,
Sgt W. G. Darge, wireless operator and air gunner,
Sgt A. G. Daniels, wireless operator and air gunner,
Sgt M. Dean, wireless operator and air gunner,
Cpl J. Barnard, air gunner,
Sgt V. F. Butcher, air gunner,
Cpl E. A. F. Nicholas, air gunner,
LAC J. Savidge, air gunner,
LAC W. L. Purkiss, radio mechanic.