El Adem – Luqa
Flight / Schedule
El Adem – Luqa
Aircraft
Handley Page H.P.67 HastingsRegistration
WD498
MSN
126
Year of Manufacture
1951
Operator
Royal Air Force - RAFDate
October 10, 1961 at 12:00 AM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Military
Flight Phase
Takeoff (climb)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Crash Location
El Adem Butnan (<U+0627><U+0644><U+0628><U+0637><U+0646><U+0627><U+0646>)
Region
Africa • Libya
Crash Cause
Technical failure
Narrative Report
On October 10, 1961 at 12:00 AM, El Adem – Luqa experienced a crash involving Handley Page H.P.67 Hastings, operated by Royal Air Force - RAF, with the event recorded near El Adem Butnan (<U+0627><U+0644><U+0628><U+0637><U+0646><U+0627><U+0646>).
The flight was categorized as military and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.
37 people were known to be on board, 17 fatalities were recorded, 20 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 45.9%.
Crew on board: 3, crew fatalities: 1, passengers on board: 34, passenger fatalities: 16, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is technical failure. The aircraft was engaged in a flight from El Adem to Luqa, Malta, carrying 34 members of the Maltese Artillery Contingent and 3 crew members of the 70th Squadron. Shortly after rotation, while in initial climb, the aircraft stalled and banked right. Immediately, the captain elected to regain control but the airplane struck the runway surface, rotated 90° and eventually crashed and burst into flames. A crew member and 16 passengers were killed while 20 other occupants were injured, some of them seriously. The aircraft was destroyed.
Aircraft reference details include registration WD498, MSN 126, year of manufacture 1951.
Fatalities
Total
17
Crew
1
Passengers
16
Other
0
Crash Summary
The aircraft was engaged in a flight from El Adem to Luqa, Malta, carrying 34 members of the Maltese Artillery Contingent and 3 crew members of the 70th Squadron. Shortly after rotation, while in initial climb, the aircraft stalled and banked right. Immediately, the captain elected to regain control but the airplane struck the runway surface, rotated 90° and eventually crashed and burst into flames. A crew member and 16 passengers were killed while 20 other occupants were injured, some of them seriously. The aircraft was destroyed.
Cause: Technical failure
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
3
Passengers On Board
34
Estimated Survivors
20
Fatality Rate
45.9%
Known people on board: 37
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
El Adem – Luqa
Operator
Royal Air Force - RAFFlight Type
Military
Flight Phase
Takeoff (climb)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Region / Country
Africa • Libya
Aircraft Details
Similar Plane Crashes
Royal Air Force - RAF
Avro 504
The single engine aircraft was completing a local training flight when it stalled and crashed near Abukir. A crew member was killed and the second was injured. Crew: 2nd Lt G. E. Satterthwaite, † 2nd Lt J. Acheson.
Royal Air Force - RAF
De Havilland DH.6
The crew was completing a local training flight at RAF Seaton Carew when the aircraft entered a spin and crashed in a field, bursting into flames. Both occupants were killed. Crew: Cpt Charles David Danby, pilot, 1st Class E. A. Bannister, mechanic.
Royal Air Force - RAF
Handley Page H.P.12
The aircraft departed Castle Bromwich for a test flight, carrying five engineers and two crew members. En route, the twin engine aircraft suffered technical problems with a wing, lost height and crashed in a field located in Maxstoke. The aircraft was destroyed and all seven occupants were killed. Crew: Lt Robert Edward Macbeth, Lt Frederick James Bravery, 1st Air Mechanic James Benjamn May, 2nd Air Mechanic Albert J. Winrow, 2nd Air Mechanic H. Simmonds, 3rd Air Mechanic Charles William Offord, 3rd George Greenland.
Royal Air Force - RAF
Blackburn R.T.1 Kangaroo
On final approach in bad visibility, aircraft was too low. It struck the ground short of runway and crashed. Both occupants were injured. Crew was performing a training flight on behalf of the 246th Squadron.
Royal Air Force - RAF
De Havilland DH.9
The pilot tried to return to his base but due to low visibility by night, he lost his orientation. He elected to make an emergency landing in an open field but the aircraft hit a tree and crashed. The pilot was injured.
Royal Air Force - RAF
Avro 504
The pilot, sole on board, was completing a local training flight at Castle Bromwich Arport. While taking off, the engine failed, causing the aircraft to stall and crash. The pilot 2nd Lt Ormand Hilton Curry was slightly injured and the aircraft was destroyed.