Short S.25 Sunderland

Royal New Zealand Air Force - RNZAF

Under the command of F/Lt B. Dwyer, the aircraft struck an uncharted, submerged reef while taking-off from the Te Whanga Lagoon. The impact severely damaged the flying boat’s hull. There were no casualties but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair and abandoned and later dismantled.

Aerolineas Argentinas

Upon landing on water off Montevideo, the seaplane struck an unknown floating object that caused damages to the structure. The airplane stopped and partially sank rapidly. All 55 occupants were evacuated safely while the aircraft was recovered and later declared as damaged beyond repair.

French Navy

After completing a short local training flight, the crew was returning to his base at Bel-Air NAS in Dakar. Upon landing, the seaplane bounced and eventually broke in two and partially sank few dozen yards off the district of Hann Bel-Air, into the bay of Hann. Three crew members were killed while eight others were rescued. Few hours later, one of the survivor died from his injuries. Crew (27F Squadron): Mst Albert Le Prunnec, gunner, † Mst Jean Quioc, navigator, Off Legoff, Off Giroguy, 2nd Mst Pierre Dauris, Mst Jean Roche, 2nd Mst Marcel Riou, Q/Mst Jean Gougeard, Off Le Mouzy, † Off Coen, † Off Jourdan. †

French Navy

The seaplane overturned while landing in the harbor of Port-Étienne by night. Three crew members were killed while eight others were injured. Few hours later, two of the survivors died from their injuries. Crew (27F Squadron): Lt Pierre Kerblat, pilot, † 2nd Mst Savannaz, pilot, 1st Mst René Gaspard, radio operator, † 2nd Mst Revert, radio operator, 2nd Mst Marc, navigator, † 2nd Mst Orlowrai, navigator, 2nd Mst Lucien Laloux, mechanic, † 2nd Mst Proco, mechanic, 2nd Mst Le Bars, gunner, † 2nd Mst Lachasseigne, gunner, 2nd Mst Bonnet, gunner.

South African Air Force

The crew was completing a local training sortie out from Richards Bay. On final approach by night, the seaplane crashed in flames into Lake Mzingazi, few km short of runway. Two crew members were killed while eight others were rescued.

Royal Air Force - RAF

Struck a rock while taxiing and was damaged beyond repair.

Compañia Aeronautica Uruguaya SA - CAUSA

Suffered an accident in unknown circumstances.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew left Pembroke Dock for RAF Calshot and was detached to take part to a presentation to the Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA) celebrations at Eastbourne, and was supposed to be displayed to welcome the Duke of Edinburgh. While landing on rough sea, the airplane hit waves, nosed down and plunged into the water before coming to rest few dozen yards off shore. Four crew members were killed, two other were injured and eight were unhurt. The aircraft was destroyed.

Royal Air Force - RAF

Four crewmen of the 230th Squadron lost their lives when the seaplane crashed while attempting to alight in Tveraa Fjord in the Faroe Island to pick up a critically ill British seaman and convey him to hospital in Scotland. It is believed that the flying boat was struck by a squall just as it touched the water, causing it to capsize and sink almost immediately. Crew: F/Lt J. R. Hill, † F/O A. A. Howardson, † Sgt A. S. Cronk, † F/S E. Davies, † S/L E. C. Bennett, F/Lt J. S. M. Jones 1.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The flying boat hit a submerged rock upon landing in the St Peter harbor, causing a rupture in the hull. The airplane sank but there were no casualties.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew was engaged in a reconnaissance mission after a RAF Harvard was missing. While taking off Cheung Chau Island, the seaplane lost a float, went out of control and plunged into the sea. All five crew members were rescued while the aircraft was lost.

Royal Air Force - RAF

While landing off the island, the seaplane hit a swell, lost a float and came to rest. There were no casualties but the aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair.

Royal Air Force - RAF

Just after takeoff, while climbing, the seaplane nose down, hit the water surface and crashed upside down, broken in two. Quickly on the scene, rescuers were able to evacuate four people while seven others, including four members of the crew, were killed.

Royal Air Force - RAF

Hit a buoy while landing off Pembroke Dock. There were no casualties but the aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew was completing a local training sortie when an engine caught fire in flight. The pilot-in-command attempted an emergency landing in Angle Bay but the airplane touchdown hard, causing a float to be sheared off. The aircraft came to a halt in flames. While all six crew members were able to evacuate the cabin and were uninjured, the airplane was destroyed by fire.

Royal Air Force - RAF

En route, the engine number four lost power. Ten minutes later, the engine number two suffered a similar issue. The crew attempted an emergency landing off Tsushima Island. There were no casualties but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Royal Air Force - RAF

Upon landing off Sangley Point, the seaplane hit waves and bounced. During a second landing, it nosed down, plunged into the sea and sank. There were no casualties but the aircraft was lost.

Royal Air Force - RAF

During a night landing on rough seas off Iwakuni AFB, the seaplane went out of control and came to rest upside down. Four crew members were killed while seven others were rescued. It was determined that the visibility was low at the time the crew tried to land on rough seas with high winds.

Aquila Airways

The takeoff from Southampton was attempted by night. During the takeoff roll on the Solent, the seaplane was unstable and the captain was unable to maintain the aircraft on the right course so he decided to abandon the takeoff procedure. A float located on the left wing hit the water surface and the left wing was submerged to the outer engine. All 31 occupants were quickly rescued and were uninjured while the aircraft sank.

Aquila Airways

Crashed in unknown circumstances into the ocean off Madeira Island. There were no casualties but the seaplane was damaged beyond repair.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew was engaged in a specific mission consisting of a test of the seaplane in rough seas conditions. Upon landing off Felixstowe, the airplane was hit by strong waves and was considered as damaged beyond repair. The crew was unhurt.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The seaplane landed hard, bounced and eventually plunged into the sea and sank off RAF Calshot. Both pilots were killed while three others crew members were injured. The aircraft was lost. The crew was completing a training sortie on behalf of the 236th OCU.

Royal Air Force - RAF

While flying in poor weather conditions, the aircraft hit the slope of a hill (1,000 feet high) shrouded in clouds. All eight crew members were killed. At the time of the accident, the aircraft was off course by 26 km and its altitude was 1,700 feet too low.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The aircraft was performing a flight from Iwakuni AFB to Hong Kong on behalf of the UN Command for the Korean War. While cruising at an altitude of 5,000 feet in poor weather conditions, the Sunderland hit the slope of a mountain located near Yuli, Taiwan. The wreckage was found few days later in an isolated area and all 14 occupants have been killed.

South African Air Force

Crashed on takeoff from an unknown location in South Africa. The aircraft sank and was lost while there were no casualties.

Royal Air Force - RAF

While parked in the harbor in Singapore-Seletar Airport, ready for departure, the aircraft was destroyed by the explosion of a bomb and sank in 30 feet. A crew member and a passenger were killed while nine other occupants were injured.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The departure from Singapore-Seletar Harbor for Hong Kong was performed in poor weather conditions with high winds, turbulences and thunderstorm activity. It appears the seaplane was overloaded and after takeoff, it encountered problems to gain height and crashed into the sea. Both pilots and three passengers were killed.

French Navy

The crew consisting of 15 pilots and engineers was engaged in a test flight following engine maintenance. The departure was attempted by night and on rough sea. During the takeoff procedure completed off Saint-Mandrier-sur-Mer, while at a speed of 100 km/h, the seaplane registered EJ163 (7.F-6) hit three successives waves then broke in two just before the wings. The front part including the cockpit sank rapidly while the rear part came to rest few hundred yards off shore. Four crew members were killed, seven others were injured and four were unhurt.

French Navy

Shortly after takeoff from Dakar-Yoff Airport, the seaplane registered ML851 (7.F-1) went out of control and crashed into the sea off the suburb of Les Almadies. All ten crew members were killed.

British Overseas Airways Corporation - BOAC

Just after takeoff from the Surabaya Bay, while in initial climb, the seaplane lost a float, lost height and crashed into the sea. All 25 occupants were quickly rescued while the aircraft was lost.

Aviación del Litoral Fluvial Argentino - ALFA

The approach to Buenos Aires harbor was completed in foggy conditions. The seaplane hit the water surface and crashed in the River Plate. Six passengers were injured while 18 other occupants were killed. Few hours later, two survivors died from their injuries.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew was engaged in a local training flight in Singapore-Seletar Airport. Just after liftoff, an engine was cut by the instructor. The aircraft stalled and bounced, causing the tail to separate. The seaplane crashed and came to rest. There were no casualties but the aircraft was written off.

Royal Air Force - RAF

During takeoff from Lough Erne off Enniskillen, the seaplane hit several waves in strong winds. The departure was interrupted and the aircraft came to rest. There were no casualties but the airplane was damaged beyond repair.

British Overseas Airways Corporation - BOAC

While cruising at low height in poor weather conditions, the seaplane hit the slope of a hill and crashed in Brightstone Down, Isle of Wight. A crew member was killed, three others were injured.

Royal Air Force - RAF

During a training sortie, the engine number three failed. The captain decided to reduce his altitude in an attempt to ditch the aircraft when the same engine caught fire. Shortly later, the engine detached and the seaplane hit the water surface at high speed, overturned and came to rest off Southend. Six crew members were injured while the captain and all three passengers were killed.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew was engaged in an anti-submarine attack simulation of the HMS Sentinal. While cruising at low height, the seaplane hit the water surface, exploded and crashed about 32 km north of the Inishtrahull Island, off Donegal County. Five crew members were rescued while seven others were killed. For unknown reason, the pilot was flying at a too low altitude to complete the exercise. Crew from the 201st Squadron.

Royal Air Force - RAF

After landing in the Kowloon Bay near the Kai Tak Airport, the airplane failed to stop and hit the shore. There were no casualties but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Royal Air Force - RAF

Shortly after a night takeoff from Singapore-Seletar Airport, while climbing to a height of some 200 feet, both left engines lost power. Heavily loaded and at low speed, the airplane stalled and crashed into the Seletar River. Thirteen occupants were killed while eight others were injured. The aircraft was destroyed.

British Overseas Airways Corporation - BOAC

For unknown reason, the seaplane landed hard off Poole. There were no casualties among the 20 occupants but the aircraft christened 'Hailsham' was considered as damaged beyond repair.

Royal Air Force - RAF

In the early hours of February 13th, 1946, VB885, an almost new Sunderland took off from RAF Calshot on a ferry flight to Karachi. Immediately after takeoff, an engine failed and the pilot decided to return to Calshot. The first attempt at landing was aborted and the aircraft went round for another approach. However, in the dark and with apparently poor visibility, the pilot apparently misjudged his rate of descent and at 0448LT, after a flight lasting 22 minutes, the aircraft crashed into the sea 100 yards off Lee-on-The-Solent. All ten crew were killed. Crew (302nd FTU): P/O K. Dollin, pilot, F/O R. B. Couchman, copilot, F/Sgt Hamish Ian Sandison, F/Sgt R. M. Anderson, Sgt H. Barker, Sgt G. Granger, Sgt M. O'Donoghue, Sgt H. O'Keefe, F/Sgt L. E. Snook, F/Sgt R. C. Stevens. Source: http://www.hampshireairfields.co.uk/airfields/vb885.html

Royal Air Force - RAF

Shortly after takeoff from Singapore, while climbing, the seaplane hit a hill in Tuas and was destroyed. All 22 occupants were killed, among them 17 wounded soldiers flying back home.

Royal Air Force - RAF

On landing on Kuantan River, near the city of Kuantan, the seaplane hit an unspecified object that was submerged in water. The hull ruptured, causing flooding. All 12 occupants were unhurt while the aircraft was lost.

Royal Air Force - RAF

Enroute, an engine caught fire, forcing the pilot to reduce his altitude in an attempt to make an emergency landing. The aircraft hit the water surface, overturned, exploded and sank some 100 miles northwest of Feroe Islands. All 12 crew members were killed. Crew (330th Squadron): Lt Olav Benum, pilot, Cpt Fenrik Harald Morten Wiese Aarstad, pilot, Sgt Olav Thorsen, copilot, Sgt Vingsjt Magne Hovda, navigator, Sgt Kaare Egil Lea, flight engineer, Sgt Bjarne Hjalmar Christensen, flight engineer, Sgt Jorgen Ryhl Bineau, radio operator, Sgt Ole Edvardt Johansen, wireless operator and air gunner, Sgt Adolf Herman Ffrantzen, wireless operator and air gunner, Sgt Kaare Arctander Johansen, air gunner, Sgt Hans Mikkelsen, air gunner, Sgt Bror Wilfred SJödgren, wireless operator and air gunner.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew left RAF Castle Archdale at 0203LT to localize German submarine cruising off the Irish coast. Weather conditions were marginal and the visibility was limited due to a cloud layer at 1,000 feet. The night was very dark. The aircraft passed over the village of Kellybegs and continued to the north when it hit the slope of Mt Cró na Roda (Mt Crownarad) at a height of 471 meters. All 12 occupants were killed. Crew (201st Squadron): F/Sgt R. D. A. Becker, F/Sgt S. B. Frith, F/O V. Howkins, Sgt J. R. Mansfield, F/Sgt J. G. Robinson, F/S G. R. Kennedy, Sgt F. N. G. Ford, F/Sgt D. J. T. Twist, F/Sgt C. J. Ryder, F/O R. Delby, Sgt R. F. Woodward. Source: http://www.csn.ul.ie/~dan/war/ml743.htm

Royal Canadian Air Force - RCAF

Few minutes after takeoff from RAF Castle Archdale, while climbing, an engine caught fire. The pilot lost control of the aircraft that crashed in a pasture located three miles east of Irvinestown. All 9 crew members were killed. They were engaged in a patrol mission. Crew (423rd Squadron): F/O James Robert Seeger, pilot, F/O Terence Ramsay Hailstone, copilot, F/Lt John David Ross, navigator, F/O John Alexander McLennan, pilot, F/O Charles Edward Cruickshank, flight engineer, Sgt Philip Woollatt, wireless operator and air gunner, Sgt Edward Frederick Knibbs, wireless operator and air gunner, Sgt Morley Wilbee, air gunner, Sgt Jack Gingrich, air gunner.

Royal Air Force - RAF

Shortly after takeoff from Plymouth harbor, the aircraft failed to climb and crashed into the sea. Two crew members were killed while 9 others were rescued. Crew killed (10th Squadron): F/Sgt Harry Thomas Groennou, P/O Peter Malcolm Hore.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The seaplane left Koggala AFB at 0645LT on a maritime survey flight off the east coast of Ceylon, with a return scheduled at 2000LT. The radio contact was lost en route and all attempts to contact the crew between 1241LT and 2257LT were unsuccessful. No trace of the aircraft nor the crew was ever found.

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew was involved in a night circular training flight in Enniskillen. On approach, the seaplane overshot the flare path and eventually crashed in the Lough Erne, few hundred yards away from the airfield. While four crew members were injured, four others were killed. Crew (201st Squadron): F/L D. J. Dolphin, † F/O D. H. Longland, F/O Gleigh, Sgt C. V. Ford, F/O M. Alexander, Sgt J. B. Green, † Sgt E. Parry, † Sgt J. B. Cummings. †

Royal Canadian Air Force - RCAF

The crew was performing a training flight in the region of Enniskillen. While cruising at low altitude, the seaplane hit power cables, lost speed, stalled and crashed in an open field. Nine crew members were injured while the tenth occupant was killed. A day later, one of the survivor died from his injuries. Crew (422nd Squadron): Sgt Les Hebenton, † Sgt Reginald Bodsworth. †

Royal Air Force - RAF

The crew was involved in a maritime patrol flight when an engine failed en route. The seaplane crashed into the sea off Bloody Foreland, Donegal County. Nine crew members were killed and one crewman survived. Crew (423rd Squadron): F/O Frederick William Greenwood, pilot, † F/Sgt Laurence Patrick Quinn, † F/O Edwin Earl McCann, † F/Lt George Francis Cornwell, navigator, † F/O Herbert Stanley Seibold, † F/O Kenneth Mons Liddle, † W/O Joseph Alphonse Raymond Dore, † Sgt Nigel McColl Anderson, † Sgt John Edwin Caton, † W/O R. H. VOYCE.