Incident Overview
Date: Friday 11 August 1939
Aircraft Type: Lockheed 14-WF62 Super Electra
Owner/operator: Imperial Airways
Registration Number: G-AFGN
Location: Saint-Sauveur, Luxeuil-les-Bains –
ÿ France
Phase of Flight: En route
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 12
Component Affected: EngineEngine
Category: Accident
A Super Electra aircraft, leased from British Airways, experienced a fire on a flight from London to Zurich, with a stop in Basel. An engine malfunction caused the aircraft to lose altitude, leading to a wheels-down landing in a field near Saint-Sauveur, Luxeuil-les-Bains. The undercarriage collapsed, but the aircraft remained upright, and the crew was able to exit the cockpit, sustaining burns. The aircraft was subsequently consumed by fire.A Super Electra aircraft, leased from British Airways, experienced a fire on a flight from London to Zurich, with a stop in Basel. An engine malfunction caused the aircraft to lose altitude, leading to a wheels-down landing in a field near Saint-Sauveur, Luxeuil-les-Bains. The undercarriage collapsed, but the aircraft remained upright, and the crew was able to exit the cockpit, sustaining burns. The aircraft was subsequently consumed by fire.
Description
The Super Electra ( leased from British Airways) was flying from London to Zurich, with a stop at Basel, on Imperial Airways’ Britain to Switzerland service. While cruising at 10,000 feet over France trouble with one of the Electra’s engines was experienced and the aircraft was unable to maintain height. At 3,000 feet the engine caught fire and a wheels down forced landing was carried out in a field at Saint-Sauveur, Luxeuil-les-Bains. The undercarriage collapsed but the aircraft remained upright, and captain Ben Prowse and First-Officer A.C. Wincop were able to exit the cockpit, sustaining burns from nearby flames, and release the passenger door enabling the occupants to get out. The aircraft was consumed by fire.
Primary Cause
Engine malfunction and altitude loss during flight.Engine malfunction and altitude loss during flight.Share on:
