Savoia-Marchetti S.55

Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines

While on a flight from Aleksandrovsk-Sakhalinski to Khabarovsk, the crew encountered poor weather conditions. In low visibility due to fog, the pilot apparently tried to find a reservoir to land when the seaplane struck a mountain and crashed 67 km from Lazarev. All 12 occupants were killed. More information and photos on http://amurmedia.ru/story/savoya/

Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines

Following a series of reconnaissance missions over the east part of the Primorsky krai, the crew was preparing to return to Vladivostok. About 20 minutes after takeoff from the Olga Bay, the captain decided to return to refuel. The floatplane landed at a speed of about 140-150 km/h when the right pontoon collided with an obstacle (a tree trunk or the wreck of a wooden fishing boat). This caused the pontoon to be cut for more than one meter. Water entered the cabin then the airplane broke into three pieces and came to rest. The crew of the ship 'Dvinoles' arrived quickly on the scene and was able to evacuated 11 people but two passengers drowned.

Regia Aeronautica

The crew was taking part to a world tour under the command of General Italo Balbo. After takeoff from Ponta Delgada, the seaplane crashed into the sea and came to rest upside down. One crew member was killed.

Polyarnaya Aviatsiya

The seaplane departed Sevastopol on a flight to Cape Severny with several en route stops, carrying one passenger (one journalist from the Komsomolskaya Pravda) and four crew members. On the leg from Yeysk to Volsk, while flying over the Volga River at a speed of 175-200 km/h and at a height of about 10-15 metres, the airplane encountered a cold front, lost altitude and crashed into the river, some 300 metres from the shore. Fishermen were able to rescue two crew members while three other occupants were killed.

Regia Aeronautica

The seaplane departed Orbetello on a flight to the US, taking part to a world tour with 25 other similar airplane under the command of General Italo Balbo. While attempting to land in the harbor of Amsterdam (Schellingwoude), the airplane impacted a dam and crashed. Four crew members were injured and the Sgt Quintavalle was killed.

Brazilian Navy - Aviação Naval Brasileira

The seaplane was engaged in a local mission out of Rio de Janeiro when it collided with a second S.55 operated by the same forces and registered 5. Both aircraft went out of control and crashed in the Guanabara Bay. Three crew members on board the S.55 registered 9 were killed and two others on board the S.55 registered 5. All 12 other crew members were injured. The exact circumstances of the collision are unclear.

Regia Aeronautica

Registered I-BOER, the Savoia-Marchetti S.55TA was taking part to a huge international rally organized by the Italian General Italo Balbo on a trip from Italy (Orbetello) to Brazil (Rio de Janeiro). A total of 14 Savoia-Marchetti S.55TA were involved in this rally. The group departed Orbetello on 17DEC1930, arrived in Kenitra on 21DEC1930, Villa Cisneros on 23DEC1930 and finally Bolama (Guinea Bissau, ex Portuguese Guinea) on Christmas Day. Due to poor weather conditions, it was not possible to continue so all crews observed a rest time on Bolama Island till 06JAN1931. After takeoff from the harbor of Bolama, while climbing, the float plane lost height and crashed into the sea, killing all four crew members. Their bodies were never recovered. It was registered I-BOER, referring to the name of its captain Luigi Boer.

Regia Aeronautica

Registered I-RECA, the Savoia-Marchetti S.55TA was taking part to a huge international rally organized by the Italian General Italo Balbo on a trip from Italy (Orbetello) to Brazil (Rio de Janeiro). A total of 14 Savoia-Marchetti S.55TA were involved in this rally. The group departed Orbetello on 17DEC1930, arrived in Kenitra on 21DEC1930, Villa Cisneros on 23DEC1930 and finally Bolama (Guinea Bissau, ex Portuguese Guinea) on Christmas Day. Due to poor weather conditions, it was not possible to continue so all crews observed a rest time on Bolama Island till 06JAN1931. After takeoff from the harbor of Bolama, during initial climb, the float plane encountered problems, stalled and hit the water surface before coming to rest. Three crew members were injured while the fourth was killed. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair. It was registered I-RECA, referring to the name of its captain Silvio Recagno. Sergeant-Major Luigi Fois was killed.

Regia Aeronautica

Registered I-DONA, the Savoia-Marchetti S.55TA was taking part to a huge international rally organized by the Italian General Italo Balbo on a trip from Italy (Orbetello) to Brazil (Rio de Janeiro). A total of 14 Savoia-Marchetti S.55TA were involved in this rally. The group departed Orbetello on 17DEC1930, arrived in Kenitra on 21DEC1930, Villa Cisneros on 23DEC1930 and finally Bolama (Guinea Bissau, ex Portuguese Guinea) on Christmas Day. Due to poor weather conditions, it was not possible to continue so all crews observed a rest time on Bolama Island till 06JAN1931. This day, crew left Bolama without problems and continued along the route to Natal, some 3,000 km in total. At a distance of approximately 1,000 km off the Brazilian coast, crew encountered technical problems and attempted to make an emergency landing into the ocean. Several ships of the Italian Navy were cruising along the route, so all four crew were quickly rescued while the aircraft sunk and was lost. It was registered I-DONA, referring to the name of its captain Renato Donadelli.

Società Aerea Mediterranea - SAM

While landing in the harbor of Olbia, on a very calm sea, the seaplane landed hard, overturned and came to rest upside down off Terranova Pausania. A passenger was killed while 11 other occupants were injured. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Italian Government

Crashed in unknown circumstances off the island of Ibiza. The seaplane was operated by the Italian Aviation Ministry (Ministero dell’Aeronautica).