Germiston – Dodoma – Nairobi – Heliopolis
Flight / Schedule
Germiston – Dodoma – Nairobi – Heliopolis
Aircraft
Lockheed 14 Super ElectraRegistration
AX688
MSN
1419
Year of Manufacture
1938
Operator
Royal Air Force - RAFDate
November 10, 1940 at 12:00 AM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Military
Flight Phase
Takeoff (climb)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Crash Location
Nairobi-Wilson Nairobi City District
Region
Africa • Kenya
Crash Cause
Human factor
Narrative Report
On November 10, 1940 at 12:00 AM, Germiston – Dodoma – Nairobi – Heliopolis experienced a crash involving Lockheed 14 Super Electra, operated by Royal Air Force - RAF, with the event recorded near Nairobi-Wilson Nairobi City District.
The flight was categorized as military and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.
5 people were known to be on board, 5 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.
Crew on board: 2, crew fatalities: 2, passengers on board: 3, passenger fatalities: 3, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is human factor. The aircraft was completing a cross continent flight from Germiston, South Africa, to Heliopolis, in Cairo, Egypt, with intermediate stops in Dodoma, Tanzania, and Nairobi, Kenya. The crew attempted to take off in poor weather conditions (strong winds and heavy rain falls). Shortly after take off from Nairobi-Wilson Airport, while climbing to a height of some 500 feet, the twin engine aircraft turn to the left and went out of control. It dove into the ground and crashed in a huge explosion. All occupants were killed. The exact number of fatalities (some sources talk about 7 or 9 on board) remains unknown.
Aircraft reference details include registration AX688, MSN 1419, year of manufacture 1938.
Fatalities
Total
5
Crew
2
Passengers
3
Other
0
Crash Summary
The aircraft was completing a cross continent flight from Germiston, South Africa, to Heliopolis, in Cairo, Egypt, with intermediate stops in Dodoma, Tanzania, and Nairobi, Kenya. The crew attempted to take off in poor weather conditions (strong winds and heavy rain falls). Shortly after take off from Nairobi-Wilson Airport, while climbing to a height of some 500 feet, the twin engine aircraft turn to the left and went out of control. It dove into the ground and crashed in a huge explosion. All occupants were killed. The exact number of fatalities (some sources talk about 7 or 9 on board) remains unknown.
Cause: Human factor
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
2
Passengers On Board
3
Estimated Survivors
0
Fatality Rate
100.0%
Known people on board: 5
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Germiston – Dodoma – Nairobi – Heliopolis
Operator
Royal Air Force - RAFFlight Type
Military
Flight Phase
Takeoff (climb)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Region / Country
Africa • Kenya
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.