Imperial Airways

Fairchild 71

Crashed in unknown circumstances. Exact date unknown.

Handley Page H.P.42

While overflying the Gulf of Oman, the aircraft christened 'Hannibal' crashed into the sea in unknown circumstances. SAR operations did not find any trace of the aircraft nor the crew and were suspended after few days. Crew: N. Townsend, pilot, C. J. Walsh, copilot, A. H. H. Tidbury, radio operator, C. A. F. Steventon, steward. Passengers: A. T. Pannirselvam, Harold A. Whistler, Alf Bryn, Henry Hutchison.

Handley Page H.P.42

The aircraft was returning from France to Exeter after its crew completed a special flight for the Royal Air Force Command. While flying over Devon in marginal weather conditions, the crew was unable to locate the airport of Exeter nor to localize his position with certainty. Eventually, the captain decided to reduce his altitude and attempted an emergency landing on the Tiverton Golf course when on final, the aircraft hit two trees and crashed. While all three occupants were injured, the aircraft christened 'Horatius' was destroyed.

Short S.23 Empire Flying Boat

The seaplane was approaching Hoogly River in Calcutta in strong winds. Upon landing, it went out of control and sunk. While all eight occupants were rescued, the aircraft was lost.

Short S.23 Empire Flying Boat

The crew was forced to abandon a first landing attempt off Lumbo for unknown reason. While on the second attempt, the seaplane christened 'Challenger' hit the water and came to rest off the Ilha de Mocambique Island. Two crew members, the radio officer Tom Webb and the flight clerc George Knight were killed while all four other occupants were injured. The cockpit separated from the fuselage on impact.

Short S.23 Empire Flying Boat

The seaplane aircraft christened 'Capella' was performing an international schedule flight on behalf of Qantas. While taxiing in the harbor of Batavia (Jakarta), the aircraft hit a unknown floating object and the pilot interrupted the departure procedure to return to his initial point. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair by immersion while all eight occupants were uninjured.

Short S.23 Empire Flying Boat

The seaplane christened 'Cavalier' left Port Washington seaplane base in Long Island at 1038LT on a transatlantic flight to Southampton with an intermediate stop in Hamilton, Bermuda. Some two hours later, crew encountered poor weather conditions and decided to modify his route to avoid a cumulonimbus area. During this maneuver, the aircraft lost height and while cruising in poor weather with low temperature, the pilot decided to return to his initial route when both inner engines stopped while both outboard engine lost power. In such situation, the captain decide to make an emergency landing into the Atlantic Ocean, some 285 miles southeast of Port Washington. The radio operator was able to give his position and the aircraft sunk four minutes after landing. Crew: M. R. Alderson, pilot, Neil Richardson, copilot.

Short S.23 Empire Flying Boat

The crew lost his orientation while flying by night in a sandstorm. Pilot decided to reduce his altitude to maintain a visual contact with the ground when the seaplane christened 'Calpurnia' hit the ground at full power and crashed. All four crew members were killed.

Armstrong Whitworth AW.15 Atalanta

Shortly after takeoff from Kisumu Airport, while climbing, the four engine aircraft hit a hill near the airport. All four occupants were killed.

Short S.23 Empire Flying Boat

Shortly after takeoff from the harbor of Brindisi, the seaplane christened 'Cygnus' stalled and crashed into the sea. Six people were injured while two other (a crew member and a passenger) were killed.

Short S.23 Empire Flying Boat

The crew started the approach to the harbor of Athens in poor visibility due to fog. The seaplane hit the water surface and came to rest in the Phaleron Bay, off Athens, and sunk. Two passengers drowned while all 12 other occupants were rescued. Aircraft was christened 'Courtier'.

Short S.23 Empire Flying Boat

The aircraft left Southampton at 1150LT. While overflying Morvan, the radio navigator contacted ground control in Lyon-Bron to obtain a position briefing. While flying in snow falls, the four engine aircraft christened 'Capricornus' hit two pine trees and crashed near Ouroux, some 15 km southwest of Mâcon. The radio navigator survived and walk few km to find help. When he returned to the aircraft, he realize all five other occupants were killed. Crew: A. Paterson, pilot, G. E. Klein, copilot, Denis R. O'Brien, flight clerk, James L. Cooper, radio navigator, F. A. E. Jeffcoate, steward. Passenger: Beatrix 'Betty' Mercy Coats.

De Havilland DH.86 Express

The four engine aircraft left Croydon Airport for Cologne at 2130LT with no mail on board. At 2258LT, while overflying Belgium, the radio navigator informed ATC he was flying in good visibility with no icing conditions. Approaching Cologne-Butzweilerhof Airport, the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances in Elsdorf, some 35 km west of the airport. All three occupants were killed. Crew: C. B. Holmes, pilot, C. E. Langman, wireless operator. Passenger: C. F. Wolley Dod, Imperial Airways European Manager.

Boulton & Paul P.71

The twin engine aircraft christened 'Boadicea' crashed in unknown circumstances into The Channel while on a mail flight from Croydon to Paris-Le Bourget. Both crew killed, among them Captain A. C. Thomas.

Short S.17 Kent

Christened 'Scipio', the seaplane aircraft hit waves while landing in the Mirabella harbor, Crete. It went out of control and plunged into water before coming to rest with broken wings. Two passengers were killed while all nine other occupants were injured.

Vickers Vellox

Shortly after takeoff from Croydon Airport, while in initial climb by night on a mail flight to Paris-Le Bourget Airport, the twin engine aircraft crashed in flames in a garden located in Hillside Gardens, less than a km from the airport. All four occupants were killed and the aircraft was totally destroyed.

Short S.8 Calcutta

While approaching Alexandria, the seaplane aircraft stalled and crashed into the sea, two kilometers off shore. Only the captain survived while all twelve other occupants were killed.

De Havilland DH.66 Hercules

Shortly after takeoff from Entebbe Airport, while climbing, the three engine aircraft stalled and crashed in a muddy field. Nobody was hurt but the aircraft christened 'City of Jodhpur' was damaged beyond repair.

Short S.17 Kent

Just prior to takeoff, while the crew was preparing the departure, a fire erupted. The aircraft christened 'Sylvanus' exploded in the harbor of Brindisi and was rapidly consumed by fire. A passenger was injured while all twelve other occupants were killed.

Boulton & Paul P.71

For unknown reasons, the twin engine aircraft crashed on landing and came to rest. While all 15 occupants were unhurt, the aircraft christened 'Britomart' was damaged beyond repair.

De Havilland DH.86 Express

En route, crew encountered severe icing conditions and the flight became critical so the captain decided to make an emergency landing in an open field located near Zwettl, some 80 km northwest of Vienna. There was no casualties among the occupants but the aircraft christened 'Draco' was damaged beyond repair.

Short L.17 Scylla

While taxiing for takeoff at Brussels Airport, the four engine aircraft was blown up by gusty winds and came to rest upside down. There were no casualties.

Avro 618 Ten

The crew was completing an international schedule service from Cologne to Croydon with an intermediate stop in Brussels. The aircraft departed Brussels-Haren Airport at 1220LT with eight passengers and two crew members on board. While overflying the West Flanders, the crew encountered poor visibility due to foggy conditions. Apparently lost, the crew deviated from the prescribed flight path by 15 km when the captain decided to reduce his altitude to establish a visual contact with the ground. At a height of about 250 feet, the airplane collided with a 270 metres high radio antenna. Upon impact, the right wing was torn off and the airplane crashed in an open field, bursting into flames. All 10 occupants were killed, among them seven British, two Dutch and one Polish.

Armstrong Whitworth AW.154 Argosy

Named 'City of Liverpool', the aircraft departed Brussels-Haren Airport at 1336LT, about 30 minutes beyond schedule. It passed over Gent at 1400LT and was approaching Roeselare. While cruising at an altitude of 4,300 feet and at a speed of 95 knots, the radio navigator informed ATC that all was OK on board. Few minutes later, an intense fire broke out in the cabin. Immediately, the pilot reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing. But from a height of some 200 feet, the aircraft stalled and crashed in a flat attitude in an open field, bursting into flames. The aircraft was totally destroyed by a post crash fire and all 15 occupants were killed.

Armstrong Whitworth AW.154 Argosy

Shortly after takeoff from Aswan Airport, the airplane stalled and crashed. All seven occupants were injured, among them two crew seriously. The aircraft named 'City of Birmingham' was damaged beyond repair. It was en route to Cairo while on a flight from Johannesburg to London.

Armstrong Whitworth AW.154 Argosy

The crew was engaged in a local training flight out from Croydon Airport. Shortly after liftoff, while in initial climb, the aircraft stalled and crashed, bursting into flames. Both crew were injured and the aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire.

De Havilland DH.66 Hercules

While approaching Kupang, all three engine stopped. The crew attempted an emergency landing in a prairie located 16 km from the airport. After touchdown, the aircraft impacted rocks, lost its main landing gear and came to rest. Both crew members escaped uninjured and the aircraft named 'City of Cairo' was damaged beyond repair.

Handley Page H.P.26

En route from Croydon to Paris, the crew encountered technical problems and attempted an emergency landing. The aircraft eventually came to rest in an open field located in Neufchâtel-Hardelot, some 10 km south of Boulogne-sur-Mer, Pas-de-Calais. Three occupants, including a crew member, were killed, while three others were seriously injured. Pilot was J. J. Flynn.

De Havilland DH.66 Hercules

The airplane departed London on an international service to India, carrying four passengers and three crew members. On approach to Cairo Airport by night, the visibility was poor and the pilot-in-command failed to realize his altitude was insufficient. The airplane impacted ground and crashed near the city of Giza, in the suburb of Cairo. All seven occupants evacuated safely and the aircraft named 'City of Tehran' was damaged beyond repair.

De Havilland DH.61 Giant Moth

While taking off from Broken Hill, on a flight from Croydon to South Africa, the aircraft crashed for unknown reason. All seven occupants were slightly injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Short S.8 Calcutta

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.

De Havilland DH.66 Hercules

For unknown reasons, the aircraft departed Bandar Lengeh Airport with delay. Thus, the crew started the approach to Jask Airport by night and limited visibility. On short final, the aircraft was too low and impacted the ground short of runway threshold. Upon impact, the the fuel tank ruptured and the aircraft caught fire before coming to rest, bursting into flames. Two passengers were rescued while three other occupants were killed.

Handley Page H.P.30

While overflying the Channel at an altitude of 3,000 feet, the right engine failed. The pilot attempted to return to England but some three miles off Dungeness, as he was unable to maintain a safe altitude, he ditched the aircraft. Both crew and four passengers escaped and were slightly injured while all seven other occupants were killed. The aircraft was named 'City of Ottawa'. Crew: Rudolf Paul David Brailli, pilot, Nigel Robert Barnett, flight engineer.

De Havilland DH.50

Shortly after takeoff from Plymouth, the single engine airplane crashed for unknown reason. All five occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Vickers Vulcan

As the engine has been changed the day prior to the accident, the pilot was engaged in a test flight with an inspector of the Civil Aviation Authority. Due to the nature of the flight, four employees of Imperial Airways were authorized to take part of the flight. Shortly after takeoff, while climbing, the aircraft crashed into a market garden near Leigh Cottage on Woodcote Road, it was seen by residents flying low over the rooftops with the engine "evidently in difficulties". The accident occurred in a potato field located 3 miles south of the airport, in Purley. As the pilot was ejected on impact and was uninjured, he helped one of the passengers from the enclosed cabin free. Shortly later, the aircraft burst into flames and it was not possible to rescue the other passengers. The four passengers (two male and two females) were killed and later evidence was that at least one had died due to the impact and the others were unconscious before the fire.

Handley Page H.P.26

En route from Croydon to Paris, while approaching Abbeville, the crew encountered poor weather conditions. The pilot reduced his altitude and attempted a precautionary landing. Unfortunately, the manoeuvre was eventful and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. All occupants evacuated safely.

Handley Page H.P.30

Named 'Prince Henry', the aircraft departed Croydon Airport at 1245LT on a regular schedule service to Paris-Le Bourget. While overflying The Channel, the right engine lost power. The pilot attempted to make an emergency landing in the sea some 33 km off the British coast. In a slight nose-up attitude, the aircraft ditched into sea at 1315LT. All 12 occupants took refuge on the roof and the tail and were later rescued by the crew of two fishing vessels, one of them named 'Invicta'. Mail and cargo (platinum) were salvaged and bring back to Folkestone. The only casualty was a Pommeranian dog belonging to one of the women passengers.

De Havilland DH.34

The aircraft was performing a special flight from Croydon to Newcastle to follow the 'King's Cup Air Race'. En route, while cruising over Durham County, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and low visibility due to fog. As the pilot was unable to localize the destination, he decided to attempt an emergency landing in an open field when the aircraft impacted a ditch and came to rest against trees. While all seven occupants were uninjured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

De Havilland DH.34

Shortly after takeoff from Croydon Airport, while climbing to a height of 300 feet, the aircraft suffered a technical problem, stalled and crashed in an open field located in Purley, some 2,4 km south of the airport, bursting into flames. SAR arrived quickly on the scene but it was impossible to rescue the eight occupants who were prisoner of the fire. The pilot and five passengers were British citizens, another was Brazilian and the last was a Chilean.

De Havilland DH.34

Shortly after takeoff from Croydon Airport, the aircraft stalled and crashed. All seven occupants evacuated with minor injuries and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

De Havilland DH.34

Crashed on takeoff for unknown reasons. All occupants escaped unhurt while the aircraft was destroyed.