Colombo – Poona – Bombay – Karachi
Flight / Schedule
Colombo – Poona – Bombay – Karachi
Aircraft
Stinson Model ARegistration
VT-AQW
MSN
9113
Year of Manufacture
1935
Operator
Tata AirlinesDate
August 4, 1943 at 12:00 AM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Flight Phase
Flight
Crash Site
Mountains
Crash Location
Lonavala Maharashtra
Region
Asia • India
Coordinates
18.7540°, 73.4044°
Narrative Report
On August 4, 1943 at 12:00 AM, Colombo – Poona – Bombay – Karachi experienced a crash involving Stinson Model A, operated by Tata Airlines, with the event recorded near Lonavala Maharashtra.
The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was flight at a mountains crash site.
6 people were known to be on board, 6 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.
Crew on board: 3, crew fatalities: 3, passengers on board: 3, passenger fatalities: 3, other fatalities: 0.
En route from Poona to Bombay in marginal weather conditions, the three-engine aircraft hit the slope of a mountain located north of Lonavala. All six occupants were killed.
Aircraft reference details include registration VT-AQW, MSN 9113, year of manufacture 1935.
Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 18.7540°, 73.4044°.
Fatalities
Total
6
Crew
3
Passengers
3
Other
0
Crash Summary
En route from Poona to Bombay in marginal weather conditions, the three-engine aircraft hit the slope of a mountain located north of Lonavala. All six occupants were killed.
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
3
Passengers On Board
3
Estimated Survivors
0
Fatality Rate
100.0%
Known people on board: 6
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Colombo – Poona – Bombay – Karachi
Operator
Tata AirlinesFlight Type
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Flight Phase
Flight
Crash Site
Mountains
Region / Country
Asia • India
Aircraft Details
Similar Plane Crashes
Wilfred Theodore Blake
Fairey III
The British Major Wilfred Theodore Blake was trying to complete one of the first World Tour. Last May, he crashed with his DH.9 in Marseille but continued with this Fairey IIIC. The airplane departed the east coast of India bound to Chittagong. While cruising off the West Bengal State, the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances in the sea off Sagar. All three occupants were rescued and the aircraft was lost. Crew: Norman MacMillan, pilot, Wilfred Theodore Blake, copilot and navigator, Colonel L. E. Broome, photographer.
Brito Pais
Breguet 14
Both Portuguese aviators Brito Pais and Sarmento Beires departed Portugal (Vila Nova de Milfontes) on a flight to Macau with intermediate stops in Tunis, Cairo, Bushehr and Karachi. While flying over Rajasthan, the crew encountered engine problems and was forced to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed and was damaged beyond repair. Both pilots escaped uninjured and continued their trip with a De Havilland DH.9.
Thomas Neville Stack
De Havilland DH.60 Moth
The aircraft was owned by Thomas Neville Stack but piloted this day by W. H. Vetch for a demo flight at Shillong. After performing several manoeuvres, the pilot started an approach but was too low when the aircraft hit power cables and crashed into the public. The pilot and four other people were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Dennis M. M. Rooke
De Havilland DH.60 Moth
Dennis M. M. Rooke, pilot and owner of this aircraft named 'Marjorie', was performing a flight from England to Australia. Shortly after takeoff from Aurangabad, en route to Darwin, the aircraft hit a palm tree and crashed. The pilot was injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Van Lear Black
Fokker F7
The aircraft named 'Maryland Free State' departed London on a trip to Tokyo, carrying three passengers and two crew members. Upon landing at Calcutta-Dum Dum Airport, the airplane went out of control and crashed. All five occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. Owner of the aircraft, the American businessman Van Lear Black (also owner of the US newspaper Baltimore Sun) returned to UK by train and ordered a new aircraft to complete his trip from London to Tokyo.
George Valentin Bibescu
Ford 5
En route, the three engine airplane collided with a vulture, forcing the crew to attempt an emergency landing in an open field. While the aircraft was damaged beyond repair, all four occupants evacuated safely. The aircraft was owned by Prince George Valentin Bibescu, President of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI).
