Frobisher Bay – Reykjavik
Flight / Schedule
Frobisher Bay – Reykjavik
Aircraft
Rockwell Turbo Commander 680/681Registration
N444GB
MSN
680-1565-21
Year of Manufacture
1966
Operator
International AirboatsDate
August 5, 1990 at 12:00 AM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Ferry
Flight Phase
Landing (descent or approach)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Crash Location
Keflavik Southern Peninsula (Suðurnes)
Region
Europe • Iceland
Coordinates
63.9985°, -22.5816°
Crash Cause
Technical failure
Narrative Report
On August 5, 1990 at 12:00 AM, Frobisher Bay – Reykjavik experienced a crash involving Rockwell Turbo Commander 680/681, operated by International Airboats, with the event recorded near Keflavik Southern Peninsula (Suðurnes).
The flight was categorized as ferry and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.
2 people were known to be on board, 0 fatalities were recorded, 2 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 0.0%.
Crew on board: 1, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 1, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is technical failure. While approaching Iceland on a ferry flight from Frobisher Bay, the crew declared an emergency due to fuel shortage and requested the permission to divert to Keflavik Airport. On final approach to runway 29, both engines failed simultaneously. The aircraft stalled and crashed on a road located 1,500 meters short of runway. Both pilots were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Aircraft reference details include registration N444GB, MSN 680-1565-21, year of manufacture 1966.
Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 63.9985°, -22.5816°.
Fatalities
Total
0
Crew
0
Passengers
0
Other
0
Crash Summary
While approaching Iceland on a ferry flight from Frobisher Bay, the crew declared an emergency due to fuel shortage and requested the permission to divert to Keflavik Airport. On final approach to runway 29, both engines failed simultaneously. The aircraft stalled and crashed on a road located 1,500 meters short of runway. Both pilots were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Cause: Technical failure
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
1
Passengers On Board
1
Estimated Survivors
2
Fatality Rate
0.0%
Known people on board: 2
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Frobisher Bay – Reykjavik
Operator
International AirboatsFlight Type
Ferry
Flight Phase
Landing (descent or approach)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Region / Country
Europe • Iceland
Aircraft Details
Aircraft
Rockwell Turbo Commander 680/681Registration
N444GB
MSN
680-1565-21
Year of Manufacture
1966
Similar Plane Crashes
Royal Air Force - RAF
De Havilland DH.91 Albatross
The four engine aircraft christened 'Faraday' crashed on landing for unknown reason, while performing a mail flight from Bristol. All five occupants were unhurt as the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
United States Navy - USN
Martin PBM Mariner
The crew was engaged in a maritime patrol flight over the Atlantic Ocean. Following an uneventful mission, the aircraft was returning to its base when pilots encountered poor weather conditions at destination. After circling the base while awaiting visibility improvement, the captain attempted a visual approach as no instruments were available at that time. While descending to 800 feet, the seaplane hit a mountain slope located near Krísuvík, some 25 km southeast of the Keflavik Airport. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all 12 occupants were killed.
Royal Air Force - RAF
De Havilland DH.91 Albatross
Upon landing in Reykjavik, the gear collapsed and the aircraft christened 'Franlkin' was damaged beyond repair. All four crew members escaped unhurt.
Flugfélag Akureyrar
Waco YKS-7
Shortly after take off from Reykjavik, the engine failed. The pilot decided to return and on final approach, the aircraft stalled and crashed short of runway . Both occupants were killed.
German Air Force - Deutsche Luftwaffe
Focke-Wulf Fw.200 Condor
The four engine aircraft was shot down by the pilots of a USAAF P.38 and a Curtiss P-40 and crashed into the sea some 15 km west of Reykjavik. All six crew members were killed. Crew (I./KG 40): Ofw Fritz Köhn, Ofw Philipp Haisch, Ofw Ottmar Ebener, Uffz Wolgang Schulze, Ofw Artur Wohlleben, Ofw Albert Winkelmann.
Royal Air Force - RAF
Consolidated B-24 Liberator
Shortly after take off from Reykjavik Airport, while on a transit flight from Europe to the US, the engine number three caught fire and exploded. The crew attempted to return for an emergency landing. On final approach, the engine number three fell off and the aircraft landed in flames. On touchdown, the right main gear failed and the aircraft skidded for several hundred yards before coming to rest with both wings on fire. Nine crew members were killed while six others were injured. Crew (120th Squadron): W/O P. L. B. Ellis, pilot, † F/S J. G. Benson, copilot, † F/S G. Lowrison, radio navigator, † Sgt D. McClelland, flight engineer, F/S A. Barthorpe, wireless operator and air gunner, Sgt G. Young, wireless operator and air gunner, Sgt W. Stanfield, wireless operator and air gunner. † Passengers: Cdr C. Harris, Lt A. Finn, S/L H. Catchlove, F/O W. Wright, † F/L F. H. Salt, † LAC M. I. Kidd, † Cpl H. Y. Mills, † Cpl J. D. Cole. †
