Northolt – Glasgow

On October 17, 1950 at 03:45 PM, Northolt – Glasgow experienced a crash involving Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3), operated by British European Airways - BEA, with the event recorded near Mill Hill 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.

29 people were known to be on board, 28 fatalities were recorded, 1 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 96.6%.

Crew on board: 5, crew fatalities: 4, passengers on board: 24, passenger fatalities: 24, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is technical failure. The aircraft left RAF Northolt at 1538LT on a regular service to Glasgow-Renfrew. Shortly after takeoff, while climbing to an altitude of 500 feet, the crew encountered technical problems with the right engine that was shot down and its propeller was feathered. The pilot contacted ground and obtained the authorization to return for an emergency landing. While descending to the runway 26 with the left engine operating only and the undercarriage down, the aircraft lost height, contacted trees and crashed in flames in Mill Hill, about nine miles northeast of the airbase. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and a crew member was seriously injured while all 28 other occupants were killed.

Aircraft reference details include registration G-AGIW, MSN 12186, year of manufacture 1943.