Avro 685 York

Middle East Airlines - MEA

The Avro York plane carried out a freight flight from Beirut to Tehran via Kuwait. On the Kuwait-Tehran leg of the flight several test manoeuvres were carried out by a check pilot who was examining the pilot in command and co-pilot for renewal of their licenses. Shortly after takeoff, while climbing, the airplane went out of control and crashed in a huge explosion 11 km southeast of Karaj, west of Tehran. The aircraft was completely destroyed upon impact and all four crew members were killed.

Middle East Airlines - MEA

Upon landing at Muscat-Azaiba Airfield, the four engine aircraft went out of control, veered off runway to the right and came to rest with its right main gear collapsed. All three crew members were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Kuwait Airways

Leased from TMA of Lebanon and operated by Kuwait Airways, the aircraft was completing a cargo flight from Kabul to Lahore. On touchdown, one of the main landing gear collapsed. The airplane slid for several yards before coming to rest. All three crew members were unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

TMA of Lebanon - Trans Mediterranean Airways

During the takeoff roll at Muscat Airport, the tire on the left main gear burst. The crew continued the takeoff and during initial climb, informed ATC of the situation and received the permission to return for a safe landing. On touchdown, the left main gear collapsed and the airplane slid for dozen yards before coming to rest in flames. All three crew members escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Air Liban

Crashed on takeoff at Mehrabad Airport for unknown reason. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and all three crew members were injured.

Persian Air Services

Shortly after takeoff from Kuwait City Airport, while climbing, the four engine aircraft stalled and crashed in a desert area located 6,5 km from the airfield. The airplane was destroyed and all 32 occupants were killed.

TMA of Lebanon - Trans Mediterranean Airways

After touchdown at Brindisi Airport, the four engine airplane went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest. All three crew members were injured and the aircraft was written off.

Middle East Airlines - MEA

The crew was completing a cargo flight from Beirut to London with in an intermediate stop at Ciampino Airport in Rome. While cruising over the Mediterranean Sea, the four engine aircraft went out of control and crashed into the sea. The crew was unable to send any distress call prior to the accident. SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the five crew members was found.

TMA of Lebanon - Trans Mediterranean Airways

The four engine aircraft crash landed at Dhahran Airport. All five crew members were uninjured but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Dan-Air London

Following a wrong approach configuration, the aircraft landed long and the touchdown was reported 1,700 feet past the runway threshold. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the airplane overran, lost its undercarriage and came to rest after it struck a wall. All three crew members were slightly injured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Scottish Airlines

The crew was completing a cargo flight from Malta-Luqa to Stansted. On approach, the visibility was limited due to poor weather conditions and the captain decided to make a go around. Few minutes later, a second attempt to land was also abandoned. During a third approach, the pilot-in-command descended below the glide, apparently to establish a visual contact with the ground, when the airplane struck trees and crashed in flames 0.75 mile short of runway threshold. The airplane was destroyed and all four crew members were killed.

Pacific Western Airlines - PWA

After touchdown at Cape Perry Airfield, the four engine aircraft encountered difficulties and overran. It lost its right main gear and came to rest down an embankment. All three crew members were uninjured but the aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair.

Transair Canada

Few minutes after takeoff from Rankin Inlet, the crew encountered technical problems and decided to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed on the coast of the Hudson Bay, about 33 km south of Rankin Inlet. All three crew members were rescued while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Maritime Central Airways

En route to Kuujjuaq, the crew encountered technical problems and was forced to attempt an emergency landing. The four engine aircraft crashed 44 km north of Kuujjuaq. Two crew members were killed while the third occupant was rescued.

Transair Canada

During the takeoff roll, the captain decided to abandon the departure and started an emergency braking procedure for unknown reason. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the four engine aircraft overran, lost its right main gear and came to rest. All three crew members were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Scottish Airlines

The flight was to be via Malta to Habbaniya, Iraq, and was being made on charter by the Air Ministry to carry RAF personnel and their families. On board were 5 crew members, 45 passengers and four babies. The take-off run was begun at approximately 0930 hours Greenwich Mean Time. After travelling some 300 yards along the temporary runway, the aircraft developed a swing to starboard with a consequential skidding movement of the tires so severe that within a further distance of less than 100 yards it left the runway on the starboard side still under the influence of the swing, skidding and travelling at about 45 knots. On reaching a 'French' drain some 25 feet from the runway the undercarriage collapsed, the starboard wheel fell clear and the aircraft settled on its belly and on the port wheel. The aircraft finally came to rest pointing back almost in the direction from which it had begun its run. One aircraftsman and a 4-year old girl were killed and 4 other passengers were seriously injured.

British Overseas Airways Corporation - BOAC

Suffered a ground accident at Idris Airport prior to takeoff. There were no casualties but the aircraft was written off.

Scottish Airlines

The aircraft, which had arrived at Malta at 1046LT on the same day, took off from Luqa Aerodrome, Malta on a flight to Stansted, England. The aircraft became airborne about two thirds of the way down the runway and the undercarriage was retracted. About this time black smoke was seen coming from the No. 1 engine. The aircraft instead of turning to starboard as instructed by the Ground Control appeared to drift to port. The port wing dipped steeply and at 1222-23 hours the aircraft nose-dived into the ground on the cliffs near Zurrieq and blew up on impact. The crew of 5 and 45 passengers were all killed.

Maritime Central Airways

The rain main gear collapsed on landing. The aircraft slid for several yards before coming to rest, damaged beyond repair. There were no injuries.

Associated Airways

The crew was returning to Yellowknife on a flight from Shepard Bay. En route, the crew became lost and after multiple attempts to establish their location, did a controlled ditching (at night) into a lake in the Thoa River area. The crew was unable to get to shore due to the water temperature and sat on the extended flaps, just 3 feet above the water surface. After 2 days the Captain died from exposure but the Co-pilot remained alive until rescued 10 days after the accident.

Persian Air Services

About eight minutes after takeoff from Abadan Airport, while on a short flight to Kuwait City, the crew was flying at an altitude of 500 feet when power was lost on engine number three and four. The propeller on engine four was feathered and the crew contacted ATC for to return to Abadan for a safe landing. As the airplane lost height, the captain eventually decided to attempt an emergency landing in a desert area located in Al Seeba, at the border between Iraq and Iran. The aircraft belly landed and was damaged beyond repair. All 13 occupants were evacuated safely.

Associated Airways

Shortly after takeoff from runway 33 at Edmonton Airport, the airplane encountered difficulties to gain height, hit an obstacle and crashed in flames on a railway. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and both crew members were killed.

Arctic Wings

While taking off from Hall Lake, the four engine aircraft hit a snow bank and came to rest, broken in two. All three crew members were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair and abandoned in situ.

Associated Airways

Shortly after takeoff from Yellowknife Airport, while climbing, the four engine aircraft stalled and crashed in a snow covered field. Both crew members were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Scottish Airlines

The takeoff was started in strong crosswinds. During the takeoff run, the airplane deviated to the left and the pilot overcorrected so the aircraft swung to the right when the left main gear collapsed. Out of control, the airplane veered off runway and came to rest in flames. While all 49 occupants were quickly evacuated, the aircraft was destroyed by fire.

Skyways of London

While flying at an altitude of 7,500 feet, the engine number one detached from the wing. The pilot-in-command lost control of the aircraft that went into a dive and crashed in a field located in Kyritz. All three crew members were killed.

Scottish Airlines

While taxiing, the engine number four failed to start due to a starter issue. The captain decided to increase speed, hoping to start the engine by windmilling the propeller. When the engine started, the pilot was unable to stop the aircraft in a timely manner. The airplane veered off taxiway, lost its undercarriage and came to rest against a small embankment. All three crew members were unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Skyways of London

The four engine aircraft was on its way from Stansted to Kingston, Jamaica, carrying RAF personnels and their family members. It left Lajes Airport in the Azores Islands at 2325LT on February 1st. While approaching the Canadian coast by night, the crew issued a brief emergency message whose content remains unclear. Shortly later, the aircraft crashed into the Atlantic Ocean, about 500 km southeast of Saint John's (approximately 46°15 latitude North and 46°31 longitude West). As the airplane failed to arrive in Gander, SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the 39 occupants was found. Weather conditions at the time of the accident were considered as good. Crew: D. Nicholls, pilot, P. E. Walton, copilot, A. E. Chopping, navigator, J. A. Davis, radio officer, R. G. Lawrence, flight engineer, P. M. Newton, stewardess.

Surrey Flying Services

The accident occurred towards the end of a positioning flight from Stansted to Lyneham prior to an intended flight with freight from Lyneham to Singapore. Before departing from Stansted the captain telephoned the Meteorological Office at Lyneham and obtained the local weather situation. The en route flight to Lyneham was without incident and on arrival overhead a Ground Controlled Approach to Runway 07 was begun. The aircraft intercepted the glide path at 2,000 feet and a normal talk-down approach was made until the 114 mile from touch-down position was reached. During the approach a normal descent was maintained with variations of up to 50 ft. above the glide path. At the 1/4 mile from touch-down position the aircraft's echo disappeared from the Tracker's Radar screen in a downward direction indicating a high rate of descent. At this time the captain, who was concentrating on the flight instruments, was warned suddenly by the co-pilot that there were trees ahead. The captain immediately pulled back the control column but was unable to prevent the aircraft striking the upper branches of trees and the ridge of steeply sloping ground approximately 140 yards short of the touch-down point. The aircraft was severely damaged and three of the crew were slightly injured. There was no fire.

Eagle Aviation - UK

During the takeoff roll, the rpm on engine number one fluctuated. The pilot-in-command continued the takeoff procedure and after rotation, during the initial climb, he shut down the engine and feathered the propeller. The crew informed ATC about his situation and elected to return to Gatow Airport when the engine number one caught fire. The situation worsened rapidly and the captain eventually decided to attempt an emergency landing in a field located north of Potsdam when the aircraft crashed. A crew member was killed while two others were injured.

Air Charter Ltd London

On final approach to Hamburg-Fuhlbüttel Airport, all four engine failed simultaneously. The aircraft lost speed, height and eventually crash landed in a field short of runway. All ten occupants were quickly rescued while the aircraft was written off.

Royal Air Force - RAF

Crash landed in Changi Airport for unknown reason. There were no casualties but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Royal Air Force - RAF

Due to a lack of coordination and a poor flight preparation, the crew completed the approach to Nairobi-Wilson Airport instead of Nairobi-Eastleigh Airport. Following a wrong approach configuration, the four engine aircraft landed long, and after touchdown, was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran, lost its undercarriage and came to rest. While the aircraft was damaged beyond repair, all 27 occupants were unhurt.

Royal Air Force - RAF

Just after liftoff, while in initial climb, engines number one and two lost power. The aircraft banked left and the captain decided to abandon the takeoff procedure so he landed immediately. After touchdown, he realized that the distance available was insufficient so he raised the landing gear. The aircraft sank on its belly and slid for several yards before coming to rest. There were no casualties but the aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair.

Skyways of London

Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, the engine number four failed. The crew elected to return but while at an altitude of 550 feet, the engine number three suffered a loss of power. In such conditions, the captain attempted to make an emergency landing in a field. The aircraft crash landed and came to rest few km from the airport. While all three crew members were unhurt, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Royal Air Force - RAF

Shortly after takeoff from Wunstorf AFB, the crew informed ground that the tire on the left main gear burst and decided to divert to Gütersloh Airport for an emergency landing. On touchdown, the left main gear collapsed, the aircraft skidded for several yards and came to rest. All five crew members were unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Skyways of London

On final approach to Berlin-Gatow Airport, the four engine aircraft banked left and crashed few hundred yards short of runway threshold. The aircraft was destroyed and all three crew members were killed. They were performing a cargo flight from Northolt, taking part to the Berlin Airlift. Crew: Cpt Cecil Golding, pilot, Henry Thomas Newman, copilot, Peter James Edwards, radio operator.

British South American Airways - BSAA

During the takeoff roll at Rio de Janeiro, the tire on the right main gear burst. The crew continued the takeoff procedure and after departure, the copilot and the flight engineer proceeded to a visual control of the right main gear and did not notice anything unusual. After three hours and a half into the flight, the engine number three caught fire. The captain started an emergency descent and elected to land in Caravelas. On touchdown in a field, the aircraft went out of control and came to rest in flames. Three passengers were killed while 12 other occupants were injured. The aircraft was destroyed.

Royal Air Force - RAF

During the takeoff roll completed in strong cross winds, the aircraft lost directional control, veered off runway, lost its tail wheel and came to rest. All four crew members were unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Royal Air Force - RAF

During the takeoff roll completed in strong cross winds, the aircraft lost directional control, veered off runway, lost its undercarriage and came to rest. All four crew members were unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Royal Air Force - RAF

For unknown reason, the crew landed with an excessive speed. After touchdown, the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance, overran, lost its undercarriage and came to a halt. There were no casualties.

Royal Air Force - RAF

During the takeoff roll, a speed indicator failed. The captain decided to abandon the takeoff maneuver and started an emergency brake procedure. As the distance within the end of the runway was insufficient, he raised the gear. The aircraft sank on its belly and slid for several yards before coming to rest. While all four crew members were unhurt, the aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair.

Royal Air Force - RAF

For unknown reason, the four engine aircraft landed long. After touchdown, the pilot in command realized he would be unable to stop the aircraft within the remaining distance so he raised the undercarriage. The aircraft sank on its belly and slid for several yards before coming to rest. While the aircraft was damaged beyond repair, all four crew members were unhurt.

Royal Air Force - RAF

During the takeoff roll, the aircraft suffered severe vibrations with the ailerons and the captain decided to abort the takeoff procedure. He realized that it would not be possible to stop the aircraft within the runway end, so he raised the undercarriage and the aircraft sank on its belly. It then slid for several yards, overran and came to rest against an earth mound. All four crew members were unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Royal Air Force - RAF

Shortly after liftoff, while in initial climb, the engine number one failed. The pilot tried to maintain a control of the aircraft in order to avoid buildings ahead but once the altitude of 300 feet was reached, the aircraft banked left, stalled and crashed in a huge explosion. All five crew members were killed.

Royal Air Force - RAF

En route, the crew informed ATC that the engine number four failed. He received the permission to divert to RAF Desford to attempt an emergency landing. To lower the risk of fire, the crew decided to shut down the engine number three and feathered the propeller as well. Due to a loss of speed, the aircraft was unable to maintain a safe altitude. During the last segment, the aircraft stalled and hit violently the runway surface. On impact, the aircraft broke in two and came to rest in flames. All four crew members were evacuated safely while the aircraft was destroyed.

Royal Air Force - RAF

During the takeoff roll, the four engine aircraft went out of control, veered off runway, lost its undercarriage and came to rest. There were no casualties but the aircraft was written off.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The four engine aircraft left Malta-Luqa Airport bound for RAF Northolt with four passengers and a crew of three on board. While approaching the London area, the crew encountered low visibility due to poor weather conditions. The crew was cleared to descent to 3,000 feet when the aircraft collided with a Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) DC-6 registered SE-BDA. Inbound from Amsterdam, this second aircraft was carrying 25 passengers and a crew of 7. Following the collision, both aircraft went out of control, dove into the ground and crashed in a wooded area located in Northwood, about 4 miles north of RAF Northolt. Both aircraft were destroyed and all 39 people were killed. Among the passenger of the York was Sir Gerard Edward James, High Commissioner in Malaysia for Her Majesty the Queen of England.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew was completing a training sortie in RAF Hullavington. The aircraft landed 200 yards after the runway threshold. On a relatively short runway, the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance, overran and came to rest into a ditch. All four crew members were unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Royal Air Force - RAF

While descending to RAF Abingdon, while on a local training sortie, the captain was forced to shut down the engine number three due to an excessive temperature. As the aircraft was unstable on approach, the captain decided to make a go around when the engine number four overheat. Simultaneously, the approach light system failed. In dark, the crew decided to land immediately, raised the undercarriage and crash landed in a field short of runway threshold. While all five crew members were unhurt, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.