Incident Overview
Date: Thursday 22 October 1942
Aircraft Type: Lockheed Lodestar II
Owner/operator: Royal Air Force – RAF
Registration Number: EW984
Location: Bilbeis RAF Station –
ÿ Egypt
Phase of Flight: Initial climb
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 13 / Occupants: 13
Component Affected: Left wing-tip of the LodestarLeft wing-tip of the Lodestar
Category: Accident
A passenger flight from Bilbeis, Egypt, to Lydah, Israel, ended in a catastrophic crash. The Lodestar, during a flight over Bilbeis Camp, struck the Officers’ Mess tent, causing it to break apart and resulting in the plane rolling inverted and burning. All three crew and ten passengers perished.A passenger flight from Bilbeis, Egypt, to Lydah, Israel, ended in a catastrophic crash. The Lodestar, during a flight over Bilbeis Camp, struck the Officers’ Mess tent, causing it to break apart and resulting in the plane rolling inverted and burning. All three crew and ten passengers perished.
Description
The Lodestar took off from Bilbeis, Egypt, on a passenger flight to Lydda, Israel. Shortly after becoming airborne the pilot began to perform passes over Bilbeis Camp. He made a run at the Officers’ Mess tent at a reported height of 8 feet. The left wing-tip of the Lodestar struck the tent and broke away causing the plane to roll inverted and crash, bursting into flames. All on board (3 crew and 10 passengers) lost their lives.
Primary Cause
Pilot maneuvers and a collision with a tent during flight.Pilot maneuvers and a collision with a tent during flight.Share on:
