Southampton – Lisbon – Funchal

On January 28, 1953 at 12:00 AM, Southampton – Lisbon – Funchal experienced a crash involving Short S.25 Sunderland, operated by Aquila Airways, with the event recorded near Calshot AFB Hampshire.

The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a lake, sea, ocean, river crash site.

31 people were known to be on board, 0 fatalities were recorded, 31 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 0.0%.

Crew on board: 5, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 26, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. The takeoff from Southampton was attempted by night. During the takeoff roll on the Solent, the seaplane was unstable and the captain was unable to maintain the aircraft on the right course so he decided to abandon the takeoff procedure. A float located on the left wing hit the water surface and the left wing was submerged to the outer engine. All 31 occupants were quickly rescued and were uninjured while the aircraft sank.

Aircraft reference details include registration G-AGKY, year of manufacture 1944.