Incident Overview

Date: Sunday 16 August 1936
Aircraft Type: Fokker F.XII
Owner/operator: Aviaci¢n Nacional
Registration Number: G-ADZK
Location: La Rochelle-Lagord Airport – ÿ France
Phase of Flight: Landing
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2
Component Affected: Left Main GearLeft Main Gear
Category: Accident
Narrative
On August 16, 1936, a Fokker F.XII, G-ADZK, was sold to Spanish nationalists following a shady deal involving British Airways. The aircraft, en route from London to Madrid, experienced poor weather and low visibility, leading to a diversion to La Rochelle-Lagord Airport. During landing, the left main gear collapsed, resulting in loss of directional control and a partial shearing of the left wing and engine. Both crew members were unharmed, but the aircraft was severely damaged and beyond repair.On August 16, 1936, a Fokker F.XII, G-ADZK, was sold to Spanish nationalists following a shady deal involving British Airways. The aircraft, en route from London to Madrid, experienced poor weather and low visibility, leading to a diversion to La Rochelle-Lagord Airport. During landing, the left main gear collapsed, resulting in loss of directional control and a partial shearing of the left wing and engine. Both crew members were unharmed, but the aircraft was severely damaged and beyond repair.

Description

The Fokker F.XII, G-ADZK, was sold via shady deals by British Airways Ltd to the Spanish nationalists in the Spanish Civil War, with G-ADZK having its registration cancelled on 2.9.36 due to “Change of Ownership of Aircraft”. On 16 August 1936, the crew was on its way from London to Madrid to deliver the aircraft to the Spanish Nationalists Air Force (Aviaci¢n Nacional). En route, the flight crew encountered poor weather conditions and low visibility due to fog and decided to divert to La Rochelle-Lagord Airport. On landing, the left main gear collapsed. The aircraft lost directional control and skidded for several before coming to rest with its left wing and left engine partially sheared off. While both crew were unhurt, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Primary Cause

Shady sales practices and a lack of transparency in aircraft ownership during the Spanish Civil War.Shady sales practices and a lack of transparency in aircraft ownership during the Spanish Civil War.

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