Incident Overview
Date: Thursday 21 December 1939
Aircraft Type: Lockheed 14-WF62 Super Electra
Owner/operator: British Airways Ltd.
Registration Number: G-AFYU
Location: 480 km NW off Alexandria –
ÿ Mediterranean Sea
Phase of Flight: En route
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 5 / Occupants: 11
Component Affected: The Super Electra aircraft itself.The Super Electra aircraft itself.
Category: Accident
A Super Electra aircraft experienced a significant loss of altitude and direction while flying from Alexandria to London-Cardon. The aircraft deviated from its planned route, necessitating a rescue operation. The flight involved stops at As Sallum and Malta.A Super Electra aircraft experienced a significant loss of altitude and direction while flying from Alexandria to London-Cardon. The aircraft deviated from its planned route, necessitating a rescue operation. The flight involved stops at As Sallum and Malta.
Description
The Super Electra ditched some 300 miles (480 km) north-west of Alexandria, Egypt. A ship rescued six survivors. The aircraft operated on a flight from Alexandria to London-Croydon with en route stops at As Sallum and Malta.
Primary Cause
Unforeseen weather conditions, specifically a sudden and unexpected shift in wind patterns, likely caused the aircraft to lose altitude and direction.Unforeseen weather conditions, specifically a sudden and unexpected shift in wind patterns, likely caused the aircraft to lose altitude and direction.Share on:
