London - London

After a flight of some two hours, made for the purpose of testing radio navigation equipment, the aircraft returned to London-Gatwick Airport, U.K.. Before, and during, the flight, undercarriage operation was normal, as was the functioning of the undercarriage light and horn warning system. During the approach, the undercarriage extended normally, and the green lights indicated that it was locked down. Some 50 yards after touch down, the aircraft began to sink on the starboard side and the captain noticed that the starboard green light was no longer showing. There were, however, no reds, and the horn was not sounding. The starboard main undercarriage leg eventually retracted and the aircraft swung off the runway to the right, on to the grass.

Flight / Schedule

London - London

Aircraft

Vickers Viking

Registration

G-APKR

MSN

338

Year of Manufacture

1949

Date

September 21, 1963 at 12:00 AM

Type

CRASH

Flight Type

Test

Flight Phase

Landing (descent or approach)

Crash Site

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Crash Location

London-Gatwick West Sussex

Region

Europe • United Kingdom

Coordinates

51.1564°, -0.1579°

Crash Cause

Technical failure

Narrative Report

On September 21, 1963 at 12:00 AM, London - London experienced a crash involving Vickers Viking, operated by The Decca Navigator, with the event recorded near London-Gatwick West Sussex.

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

4 people were known to be on board, 0 fatalities were recorded, 4 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 0.0%.

Crew on board: 2, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 2, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is technical failure. After a flight of some two hours, made for the purpose of testing radio navigation equipment, the aircraft returned to London-Gatwick Airport, U.K.. Before, and during, the flight, undercarriage operation was normal, as was the functioning of the undercarriage light and horn warning system. During the approach, the undercarriage extended normally, and the green lights indicated that it was locked down. Some 50 yards after touch down, the aircraft began to sink on the starboard side and the captain noticed that the starboard green light was no longer showing. There were, however, no reds, and the horn was not sounding. The starboard main undercarriage leg eventually retracted and the aircraft swung off the runway to the right, on to the grass.

Aircraft reference details include registration G-APKR, MSN 338, year of manufacture 1949.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 51.1564°, -0.1579°.

Fatalities

Total

0

Crew

0

Passengers

0

Other

0

Crash Summary

After a flight of some two hours, made for the purpose of testing radio navigation equipment, the aircraft returned to London-Gatwick Airport, U.K.. Before, and during, the flight, undercarriage operation was normal, as was the functioning of the undercarriage light and horn warning system. During the approach, the undercarriage extended normally, and the green lights indicated that it was locked down. Some 50 yards after touch down, the aircraft began to sink on the starboard side and the captain noticed that the starboard green light was no longer showing. There were, however, no reds, and the horn was not sounding. The starboard main undercarriage leg eventually retracted and the aircraft swung off the runway to the right, on to the grass.

Cause: Technical failure

Occupants & Outcome

Crew On Board

2

Passengers On Board

2

Estimated Survivors

4

Fatality Rate

0.0%

Known people on board: 4

Operational Details

Schedule / Flight

London - London

Flight Type

Test

Flight Phase

Landing (descent or approach)

Crash Site

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Region / Country

Europe • United Kingdom

Aircraft Details

Aircraft

Vickers Viking

Registration

G-APKR

MSN

338

Year of Manufacture

1949