Incident Overview
Date: Tuesday 10 December 1935
Aircraft Type: Savoia-Marchetti S.73
Owner/operator: Sabena
Registration Number: OO-AGN
Location: Tatsfield –
ÿ United Kingdom
Phase of Flight: Approach
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 11 / Occupants: 11
Component Affected: Aircraft Flight Control System (specifically, the climb control system)Aircraft Flight Control System (specifically, the climb control system)
Category: Accident
A serious aviation incident occurred due to pilot error during a flight over bad weather. The pilot over-estimated his progress and descended significantly, leading to uncertainty and a stall during a steep climb. The pilot failed to request further bearings, contributing to the incident.A serious aviation incident occurred due to pilot error during a flight over bad weather. The pilot over-estimated his progress and descended significantly, leading to uncertainty and a stall during a steep climb. The pilot failed to request further bearings, contributing to the incident.
Description
Crashed in bad weather. Four crew (Pilot Capt Graf Jean Joseph H.G. Schoonbroodt (33), radio operator Jean Desmet, mechanic Alphonse Verbinnen, steward Raymond Strechfuss) and seven passengers. The Inspector of Accidents states reported “that the pilot over-estimated his rate of progress during the latter part of the journey and consequently descended from the clouds considerably short of his objective, and was then uncertain of his position; it is difficult to understand … why he did not ask for further bearings from Croydon… The pilot allowed the aircraft to lose flying speed and stall when executing a steep climbing turn to the left…”
Primary Cause
Pilot overestimation of progress and subsequent descent during bad weather, resulting in uncertainty and a stall.Pilot overestimation of progress and subsequent descent during bad weather, resulting in uncertainty and a stall.Share on:
