1948 Royal Air Force Avro Lancaster crash
| Company type | Military squadron |
|---|---|
| Industry | Military aviation |
| Headquarters | Luqa , Malta |
| Products | Avro 683 Lancaster B Mk III GR operations |
Template:Infobox aircraft occurrenceOn 3 September 1948, a Royal Air Force flight involving an Avro 683 Lancaster B Mk III GR ended tragically when the aircraft crashed on the slopes of "Colle dei Lecci" on the Montecristo island at approximately 300 m (980 ft) elevation. The accident, followed by a fire, claimed the lives of all seven individuals aboard the plane.[1][2]
Aircraft
The involved plane was an Avro 683 Lancaster B Mk III GR, bearing the registration TX269 and powered by Rolls-Royce Merlin 224 engines. It operated under the callsign RL-N.[3] This aircraft was assigned to the RAF's 38th Squadron based at Luqa airfield in Malta. The crash resulted in the complete destruction of the plane.
Incident
During a combined Anglo-American military exercise shortly after midnight on September 3, 1948, this Lancaster was declared missing while en route from Malta's Luqa base to Mawgan base near Newquay, Cornwall.[1][2]
Crew members aboard a sailing vessel heading to Porto Santo Stefano witnessed the bomber flying at very low altitude[4] before it crashed onto Montecristo Island. Due to rough sea conditions, the sailing ship was unable to approach and continued its journey. Authorities in Porto Santo Stefano alerted the Livorno Port Authority, which dispatched two corvettes to patrol near Montecristo; however, these vessels only departed around 16:00 because of adverse weather. Concurrently, a substantial search and rescue operation was mounted involving the American aircraft carrier USS Kearsarge, supported by seven destroyers and one Italian corvette from Livorno. A Supermarine Seafire launched from the British carrier HMS Triumph located the wreckage on rocky terrain in the upper Santa Maria Valley on Montecristo’s southwestern side. A team sent from HMS Triumph reached the crash site and recovered the remains of all seven crew members. Later that afternoon on September 5, their bodies were honored with a military burial at sea conducted by HMS Triumph.
The crew included pilot Arthur, co-pilot Kingsley, non-commissioned officer S.J. Herd, navigator Barthorpe, and gunner Dickens.[5]
Report
The Sunday edition of L'Unità dated September 5, 1948, conveyed the following:[4] "Earlier today, September 4, a sailing vessel heading toward Porto Santo Stefano observed an aircraft flying at an extremely low altitude before it collided with the cliffs on Montecristo Island and ignited in flames. Owing to a severe storm, the sailing ship was unable to approach the shoreline and proceeded directly to Porto Santo Stefano to report the incident.
In response, the Livorno Port Authority promptly sent out two corvettes; however, their departure was delayed until 4 PM because of the intense hurricane conditions that hindered navigation. The corvettes reached Porto Santo Stefano only by evening and planned to set sail for Montecristo Island in the early hours of the following day. The downed aircraft is believed to be British."
Notes
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Template:Aviation accidents and incidents in 1948 Template:Aviation accidents and incidents in Italy