Brussels – London

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.