Cairo – Kisumu – Johannesburg
Flight / Schedule
Cairo – Kisumu – Johannesburg
Aircraft
Lockheed 18 LodeStarRegistration
248
MSN
2057
Year of Manufacture
1941
Operator
South African Air ForceDate
December 19, 1942 at 12:00 AM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Military
Flight Phase
Takeoff (climb)
Crash Site
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Crash Location
Kisumu Nyanza
Region
Africa • Kenya
Coordinates
-0.1035°, 34.7518°
Crash Cause
Technical failure
Narrative Report
On December 19, 1942 at 12:00 AM, Cairo – Kisumu – Johannesburg experienced a crash involving Lockheed 18 LodeStar, operated by South African Air Force, with the event recorded near Kisumu Nyanza.
The flight was categorized as military and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a lake, sea, ocean, river crash site.
12 people were known to be on board, 12 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.
Crew on board: 4, crew fatalities: 4, passengers on board: 8, passenger fatalities: 8, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is technical failure. After take off from Kisumu Airport, while climbing by night, the crew encountered technical problems to raise the undercarriage because an electrical failure occurred on the undercarriage safety lock circuit. The captain decided to return to Kisumu but the twin engine aircraft crashed into the gulf of Kavirondo, 13 km off Kisumu. All 12 occupants were killed. Crew (61st Squadron): Cpt J. D. Mail, Lt W. B. Lloyd, Sgt C. V. Flusk, Cpl LaFayette. Passengers: Maj Gen D. H. Pienaar , Col F. Theron, Lt/Col E. V. Frykberg, Lt/Col E. L. Mackenzie, Maj J. W. A. Bell, Maj F. Rawlins, Cpt P. Bairnsfather-Cloete, Sgt A. F. Weldon. Source: ASN
Aircraft reference details include registration 248, MSN 2057, year of manufacture 1941.
Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately -0.1035°, 34.7518°.
Fatalities
Total
12
Crew
4
Passengers
8
Other
0
Crash Summary
After take off from Kisumu Airport, while climbing by night, the crew encountered technical problems to raise the undercarriage because an electrical failure occurred on the undercarriage safety lock circuit. The captain decided to return to Kisumu but the twin engine aircraft crashed into the gulf of Kavirondo, 13 km off Kisumu. All 12 occupants were killed. Crew (61st Squadron): Cpt J. D. Mail, Lt W. B. Lloyd, Sgt C. V. Flusk, Cpl LaFayette. Passengers: Maj Gen D. H. Pienaar , Col F. Theron, Lt/Col E. V. Frykberg, Lt/Col E. L. Mackenzie, Maj J. W. A. Bell, Maj F. Rawlins, Cpt P. Bairnsfather-Cloete, Sgt A. F. Weldon. Source: ASN
Cause: Technical failure
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
4
Passengers On Board
8
Estimated Survivors
0
Fatality Rate
100.0%
Known people on board: 12
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Cairo – Kisumu – Johannesburg
Operator
South African Air ForceFlight Type
Military
Flight Phase
Takeoff (climb)
Crash Site
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Region / Country
Africa • Kenya
Aircraft Details
Similar Plane Crashes
South African Air Force
Vickers FB.27 Vimy Commercial
The crew departed Brooklands, UK, for Derna on the night of 04FEB1920. After a 11-hour flight, the crew encountered bad weather conditions over the Mediterranean Sea but was able to land without problems in Derna, Lybia, to refuel. While approaching Wadi Halfa Airport by night, the crew encountered technical problems (a radiator leak) when the aircraft crashed short of runway. Both pilots were injured and the aircraft named 'Silver Queen' was destroyed. Crew: Lt Col Pierre Van Ryneveld, Lt Christopher Joseph Quintin-Brand.
South African Air Force
Vickers FB.27 Vimy Commercial
On approach to Bulawayo, Matabeleland, the crew encountered problems and the aircraft crashed. Both occupants, engaged in a cross country flight to Cape Town, South Africa, were injured and the aircraft named 'Silver Queen II' was destroyed. Crew: Lt Col Pierre van Ryneveld, Lt Christopher Joseph Quintin-Brand.
North Sea Aerial %26 General Transport
Fairey III
Upon landing on Lake Victoria off Kisumu, one float was sheared off and the aircraft sank. All three occupants evacuated with minor injuries and the aircraft was destroyed.
North Sea Aerial %26 General Transport
De Havilland DH.50
The aircraft departed London on a mail flight to Nairobi with intermediate stops in Cairo, Khartoum and Kisumu. While taking off from the Bay of Kisumu, the seaplane collided with floating obstacles (jetsam) and came to rest. The pilot was uninjured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Maia Carberry
De Havilland DH.60 Moth
The crew was performing a demonstration flight in the vicinity of the Dagoretti Aerodrome in Nairobi. While flying at low height, the pilot lost control of the aircraft that crashed near the airfield. The pilot Dudley Cowie and the passenger and owner of the aircraft Maia Alfreda Ivy Carberry were killed.
Denys Finch Hatton
De Havilland DH.60 Moth
After departure from Voi, the pilot completed two circuits around the airport. Suddenly, it entered a dive and crashed into the ground, bursting into flames. Both occupants, Denys Finch Hatton (pilot and owner) and his servant Kamau were killed.