Brussels – Paris – Rome – Beyrouth – Karachi – Kunming – Shanghai
Flight / Schedule
Brussels – Paris – Rome – Beyrouth – Karachi – Kunming – Shanghai
Aircraft
Short S.29 StirlingRegistration
OO-XAC
Operator
Air Transport - BelgiumDate
December 23, 1947 at 12:00 AM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Flight Phase
Takeoff (climb)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Crash Location
Kunming Yunnan
Region
Asia • China
Coordinates
25.0899°, 102.9152°
Crash Cause
Technical failure
Narrative Report
On December 23, 1947 at 12:00 AM, Brussels – Paris – Rome – Beyrouth – Karachi – Kunming – Shanghai experienced a crash involving Short S.29 Stirling, operated by Air Transport - Belgium, with the event recorded near Kunming Yunnan.
The flight was categorized as charter/taxi (non scheduled revenue flight) and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.
30 people were known to be on board, 25 fatalities were recorded, 5 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 83.3%.
Crew on board: 4, crew fatalities: 4, passengers on board: 26, passenger fatalities: 21, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is technical failure. Shortly after takeoff from Kunming Airport, while in initial climb, the aircraft stalled and crashed in a field located 3 km from the airport. Five passengers were seriously injured while all 25 other occupants were killed. It appears that three of the four engines failed shortly after rotation. All passengers were Belgian missionaries.
Aircraft reference details include registration OO-XAC.
Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 25.0899°, 102.9152°.
Fatalities
Total
25
Crew
4
Passengers
21
Other
0
Crash Summary
Shortly after takeoff from Kunming Airport, while in initial climb, the aircraft stalled and crashed in a field located 3 km from the airport. Five passengers were seriously injured while all 25 other occupants were killed. It appears that three of the four engines failed shortly after rotation. All passengers were Belgian missionaries.
Cause: Technical failure
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
4
Passengers On Board
26
Estimated Survivors
5
Fatality Rate
83.3%
Known people on board: 30
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Brussels – Paris – Rome – Beyrouth – Karachi – Kunming – Shanghai
Operator
Air Transport - BelgiumFlight Type
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Flight Phase
Takeoff (climb)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Region / Country
Asia • China
Aircraft Details
Aircraft
Short S.29 StirlingRegistration
OO-XAC
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