Geneva – Luqa – Cairo
Flight / Schedule
Geneva – Luqa – Cairo
Aircraft
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)Registration
ZS-AYB
MSN
19584
Year of Manufacture
1944
Operator
Pan African Air CharterDate
January 15, 1949 at 12:00 AM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Flight Phase
Landing (descent or approach)
Crash Site
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Crash Location
Alexandria Alexandria
Region
Africa • Egypt
Coordinates
31.2162°, 29.9464°
Crash Cause
Technical failure
Narrative Report
On January 15, 1949 at 12:00 AM, Geneva – Luqa – Cairo experienced a crash involving Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3), operated by Pan African Air Charter, with the event recorded near Alexandria Alexandria.
The flight was categorized as charter/taxi (non scheduled revenue flight) and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a lake, sea, ocean, river crash site.
30 people were known to be on board, 0 fatalities were recorded, 30 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 0.0%.
Crew on board: 4, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 26, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is technical failure. Approaching Luqa Airport in Malta, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and decided to continue to Cairo directly. On approach to the Egyptian coast, fuel reserve were too low and the captain decided to divert to Alexandria. On final, the aircraft stalled (likely due to a double engine failure caused by a fuel exhaustion) and crashed into the Alexandria harbor, near the suburb of Ras-el-Tin. All 30 occupants were rescued (few of them were slightly injured) while the aircraft was lost.
Aircraft reference details include registration ZS-AYB, MSN 19584, year of manufacture 1944.
Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 31.2162°, 29.9464°.
Fatalities
Total
0
Crew
0
Passengers
0
Other
0
Crash Summary
Approaching Luqa Airport in Malta, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and decided to continue to Cairo directly. On approach to the Egyptian coast, fuel reserve were too low and the captain decided to divert to Alexandria. On final, the aircraft stalled (likely due to a double engine failure caused by a fuel exhaustion) and crashed into the Alexandria harbor, near the suburb of Ras-el-Tin. All 30 occupants were rescued (few of them were slightly injured) while the aircraft was lost.
Cause: Technical failure
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
4
Passengers On Board
26
Estimated Survivors
30
Fatality Rate
0.0%
Known people on board: 30
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Geneva – Luqa – Cairo
Operator
Pan African Air CharterFlight Type
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Flight Phase
Landing (descent or approach)
Crash Site
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Region / Country
Africa • Egypt
Aircraft Details
Similar Plane Crashes
Royal Air Force - RAF
Avro 504
The single engine aircraft was completing a local training flight when it stalled and crashed near Abukir. A crew member was killed and the second was injured. Crew: 2nd Lt G. E. Satterthwaite, † 2nd Lt J. Acheson.
Royal Air Force - RAF
Handley Page H.P.12
Crashed on takeoff. Crew faite unknown.
Royal Air Force - RAF
Avro 504
The pilot, sole on board, was completing a local training flight at RAF Abu Sueir. While flying at low height in the vicinity of the airfield, the engine failed. The aircraft crashed and was damaged beyond repair. The pilot was slightly injured.
Royal Air Force - RAF
De Havilland DH.9
The crew was completing a training sorti at Abu Sueir Airport. While completing a turn at a height of 300 feet, the crew lost control of the airplane that entered a dive and crashed. Both pilots were killed. Crew: F/O F. W. G. Bedford, F/O H. F. Potter.
Royal Air Force - RAF
Avro 504
Sole on board, the pilot was completing a local training flight at RAF Abu Sueir. While completing a turn, he lost control of the airplane that stalled and crashed, bursting into flames. The pilot was injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Henry C. MacDonald
De Havilland DH.60 Moth
The pilot Henry C. MacDonald (owner of the aircraft) completed last month a flight from Stag Lane to Baghdad. He was on his return trip to London when cruising along the egyptian coast, he encountered engine problems and decided to make an emergency landing on a beach near El Salloum. While the pilot was unhurt, the aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair and abandoned on site.
