Brussels – London
Flight / Schedule
Brussels – London
Aircraft
Douglas DC-3Registration
OO-AWH
MSN
43154
Year of Manufacture
1947
Date
March 2, 1948 at 09:14 PM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Flight Phase
Landing (descent or approach)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Crash Location
London-Heathrow London Metropolis
Region
Europe • United Kingdom
Crash Cause
Human factor
Narrative Report
On March 2, 1948 at 09:14 PM, Brussels – London experienced a crash involving Douglas DC-3, operated by SABENA - Société Anonyme Belge d'Exploitation de la Navigation Aérienne, with the event recorded near London-Heathrow London Metropolis.
The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.
22 people were known to be on board, 20 fatalities were recorded, 2 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 90.9%.
Crew on board: 3, crew fatalities: 3, passengers on board: 19, passenger fatalities: 17, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is human factor. The approach to London-Heathrow Airport was started in reduced visibility due to the night and foggy conditions. On final, the aircraft hit the ground, exploded and came to rest in flames short of the runway threshold. Only two passengers survived the crash and were seriously injured while 20 other occupants were killed. Crew: Henri Goblet, pilot, Jean Lomba, radio operator, Louis De Geyndt, steward.
Aircraft reference details include registration OO-AWH, MSN 43154, year of manufacture 1947.
Fatalities
Total
20
Crew
3
Passengers
17
Other
0
Crash Summary
The approach to London-Heathrow Airport was started in reduced visibility due to the night and foggy conditions. On final, the aircraft hit the ground, exploded and came to rest in flames short of the runway threshold. Only two passengers survived the crash and were seriously injured while 20 other occupants were killed. Crew: Henri Goblet, pilot, Jean Lomba, radio operator, Louis De Geyndt, steward.
Cause: Human factor
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
3
Passengers On Board
19
Estimated Survivors
2
Fatality Rate
90.9%
Known people on board: 22
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Brussels – London
Flight Type
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Flight Phase
Landing (descent or approach)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Region / Country
Europe • United Kingdom
Aircraft Details
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