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| Accident | |
|---|---|
| Date | 27 October 1965 (1965-10-27) |
| Summary | Structural failure, pilot error, and low visibility during landing approach |
| Site |  England London Heathrow Airport, London ( England) 51°28′39″N 0°27′41″W / 51.4775°N 0.461389°W / 51.4775; -0.461389 |
| Total fatalities | 36 |
| Total injuries | 0 |
| Total survivors | 0 |
| Aircraft | |
| Aircraft type | Vickers Vanguard 951 |
| Operator |  United Kingdom British European Airways |
| Registration | G-APEE |
| Flight origin | United Kingdom Turnhouse Airport, Edinburgh ( United Kingdom) |
| Destination | United Kingdom London Heathrow Airport, London ( United Kingdom) |
| Occupants | 36 |
| Passengers | 30 |
| Crew | 6 |
| Fatalities | 36 |
| Injuries | 0 |
| Survivors | 0 |
The 1965 British European Airways Flight 706 was a domestic flight operated by a Vickers Vanguard 951 aircraft of British European Airways. On Wednesday, October 27, 1965, the aircraft crashed during landing at London Heathrow Airport, causing the deaths of all 36 people on board. It was one of the deadliest aviation disasters in the United Kingdom at the time.
Aircraft
The Vickers Vanguard 951, registered as G-APEE, was a turboprop airliner built in 1959. It was designed for short- and medium-range flights and was one of the fastest turboprop airliners at the time. The aircraft was powered by four Rolls-Royce Tyne engines, capable of generating 4,000 hp each, enabling the Vanguard to achieve high service ceilings and cruising speeds.
Circumstances
The aircraft was on a scheduled flight from Edinburgh Turnhouse Airport to London Heathrow Airport. The flight departed Edinburgh at 23:17 UTC on October 26, 1965. The journey was uneventful until the aircraft approached London Heathrow Airport. During the final approach to runway 28R, the aircraft encountered low visibility conditions, with reports indicating visibility was less than 50 meters. Despite several attempts to land, the aircraft overshot the runway multiple times. On its final approach to runway 28R, the aircraft crashed onto the runway at around 00:23 UTC on October 27, 1965, and burst into flames, killing everyone on board.
Investigation and Findings
The investigation into the crash revealed several key factors:
- Weather Conditions: The visibility at the time of the crash was significantly below the required minimum for landing. Despite this, there was no evidence that the pilot was operating below the prescribed limits set by BEA for such conditions.
- Structural Issues: A detailed examination of the wreckage indicated structural failure of the aircraft. The rear pressure bulkhead was found to have severe corrosion, which had gone undetected during routine maintenance. This corrosion led to the failure of the bulkhead, resulting in the separation of the aircraft's tail section during the flight.
- Pilot Error: The investigation also attributed the crash to pilot error. Contributing factors included low visibility, pilot fatigue, and a series of procedural errors during the landing attempts. The aircraft had performed several missed approaches before the crash, and the final approach was marked by an incorrect flap selection and a misjudged descent rate, leading to a steep dive into the runway.
Memorial
A memorial plaque was installed at Edinburgh Airport to honor the victims of the crash.The tragic event is remembered as one of the significant accidents in BEA's history, contributing to advancements in aviation safety and maintenance protocols.
See also
References
- "Crash of a Vickers 951 Vanguard in London: 36 killed". Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
- ^ "Edinburgh plane crash victims remembered 50 years on". edinburghnews.scotsman.com. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
- "Aviation Safety Network". flightsafety.org. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
- "Edinburgh Airport tribute to victims of 1965 crash". express.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
- Aviation accidents and incidents in 1965
- Aviation accidents and incidents in the United Kingdom
- Accidents and incidents involving the Vickers Vanguard
- British European Airways accidents and incidents
- October 1965 events in the United Kingdom
- 1965 in London
- Airliner accidents and incidents involving controlled flight into terrain