Incident Overview
Date: Wednesday 13 February 1946
Aircraft Type: Short Sunderland GR.5
Owner/operator: Royal Air Force – RAF
Registration Number: VB885
Location: Lee-on-Solent –
ÿ United Kingdom
Phase of Flight: En route
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 10 / Occupants: 10
Component Affected: Aircraft EngineAircraft Engine
Category: Accident
A Short Sunderland GR.V, operated by RAF’s 302FTU, experienced a catastrophic crash during a ferry flight to Karachi. An engine failure immediately prompted the pilot to return to Calshot, resulting in a series of unsuccessful attempts at landing. Due to poor visibility and a misjudgment of descent rate, the aircraft impacted the sea, causing the deaths of all ten crew.A Short Sunderland GR.V, operated by RAF’s 302FTU, experienced a catastrophic crash during a ferry flight to Karachi. An engine failure immediately prompted the pilot to return to Calshot, resulting in a series of unsuccessful attempts at landing. Due to poor visibility and a misjudgment of descent rate, the aircraft impacted the sea, causing the deaths of all ten crew.
Description
An almost new Short Sunderland GR.V operated by RAF’s 302FTU,took of from Calshot, U.K. on a ferry flight to Karachi. Immediately after take off one of the engines failed and the pilot decided to return to Calshot. The first attempt at landing was aborted and the aircraft went round for another approach. However, in the dark and with apparently poor visibility, the pilot apparently misjudged his rate of descent and the aircraft impacted the sea about 100 yards from Lee-on-Solent pier and caught fire. All ten crew were killed in the crash.
Source of Information
http://www.hampshireairfields.co.uk/airfields/vb885.htmlhttp://www.hampshireairfields.co.uk/airfields/vb885.htmlPrimary Cause
Engine failure and subsequent misjudgment of descent rate during a dark and poor visibility situation.Engine failure and subsequent misjudgment of descent rate during a dark and poor visibility situation.Share on:
