VH-TOA

The Solent left England to be delivered to Australia and had a dual registration VH-TOA and G-AKNO. Shortly after takeoff from the Marsaxlokk Bay in Malta, the aircraft stalled, hit the water surface, overturned and sank. A passenger was killed while all other occupants were rescued. The aircraft was lost.

Flight / Schedule

VH-TOA

Registration

VH-TOA

MSN

S.1294

Date

January 28, 1951 at 12:00 AM

Type

CRASH

Flight Type

Delivery

Flight Phase

Takeoff (climb)

Crash Site

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Crash Location

Marsaxlokk Bay All Malta

Region

Europe • Malta

Narrative Report

On January 28, 1951 at 12:00 AM, VH-TOA experienced a crash involving Short S.45 Solent, operated by Trans Oceanic Airways - TOA, with the event recorded near Marsaxlokk Bay All Malta.

The flight was categorized as delivery and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a lake, sea, ocean, river crash site.

39 people were known to be on board, 1 fatalities were recorded, 38 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 2.6%.

Crew on board: 6, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 33, passenger fatalities: 1, other fatalities: 0.

The Solent left England to be delivered to Australia and had a dual registration VH-TOA and G-AKNO. Shortly after takeoff from the Marsaxlokk Bay in Malta, the aircraft stalled, hit the water surface, overturned and sank. A passenger was killed while all other occupants were rescued. The aircraft was lost.

Aircraft reference details include registration VH-TOA, MSN S.1294.

Fatalities

Total

1

Crew

0

Passengers

1

Other

0

Crash Summary

The Solent left England to be delivered to Australia and had a dual registration VH-TOA and G-AKNO. Shortly after takeoff from the Marsaxlokk Bay in Malta, the aircraft stalled, hit the water surface, overturned and sank. A passenger was killed while all other occupants were rescued. The aircraft was lost.

Occupants & Outcome

Crew On Board

6

Passengers On Board

33

Estimated Survivors

38

Fatality Rate

2.6%

Known people on board: 39

Operational Details

Flight Type

Delivery

Flight Phase

Takeoff (climb)

Crash Site

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Region / Country

Europe • Malta

Aircraft Details

Registration

VH-TOA

MSN

S.1294

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