Northolt – Belfast

On January 5, 1953 at 09:39 PM, Northolt – Belfast experienced a crash involving Vickers Viking, operated by British European Airways - BEA, with the event recorded near Belfast-Nutts Corner Antrim.

The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

35 people were known to be on board, 27 fatalities were recorded, 8 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 77.1%.

Crew on board: 4, crew fatalities: 3, passengers on board: 31, passenger fatalities: 24, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. The crew started the approach to Belfast-Nutt's Corner by night and in marginal weather conditions. On final, the aircraft christened 'Lord Saint Vincent' was too low and hit the approach light number six (the top of which is 113 feet below the glide path) and appeared to level out. It touched down some 250 feet further on, ran along the ground for about 82 feet, rose again, struck the SBA van, came down again and struck the ILS building before breaking up about 200 yards short of runway 28 threshold. Eight occupants were injured while 27 others were killed, among them three crew members. The aircraft was destroyed.

Aircraft reference details include registration G-AJDL, MSN 262, year of manufacture 1949.