Bristol - Bristol

On February 4, 1954 at 12:00 AM, Bristol - Bristol experienced a crash involving Bristol Britannia, operated by Bristol Aeroplane Company, with the event recorded near Littleton-upon-Severn Gloucestershire.

The flight was categorized as test and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a lake, sea, ocean, river crash site.

13 people were known to be on board, 0 fatalities were recorded, 13 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 0.0%.

Crew on board: 13, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 0, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is technical failure. The crew (Bristol pilots and engineers and KLM pilots) was performing a test flight out from Bristol-Filton Airport. About seven minutes after takeoff, the engine number three temperature rose. The engine was shut down and later restarted as the temperature cooled. While climbing to an altitude of 10,000 feet, the temperature rose again and the engine exploded. The fire could not be extinguished and as a precaution, it was decided to shot down the engine number four and to return to Filton. On approach, both left engines stopped but were quickly restarted. In such conditions, the captain decided to attempt a belly landing in the Severn estuary, off Littleton-upon-Severn. All 13 occupants escaped with minor injuries while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. Source: http://www.bristol-britannia.com/p/history-of-romeo-x-ray.html

Aircraft reference details include registration G-ALRX, MSN 12874, year of manufacture 1953.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 51.6067°, -2.5851°.