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Revision as of 13:01, 6 August 2024 by GraemeLeggett (talk | contribs) (→Investigation and findings: not this aircraft)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff) 1965 aviation incident in London This article is about the 1965 crash. For the 1971 crash, see British European Airways Flight 706 (1971). A Vickers Vanguard 951 of British European Airways | |
| 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 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 (BEA). On Wednesday, 27 October 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 Heathrow. The flight departed Edinburgh at 23:17 on 26 October. The journey was uneventful until the aircraft approached London.. During the final approach to runway 28R, the aircraft encountered fog, with reports indicating visibility was less than 50 metres. Making an ILS approach with ATC talking it down through Precision Approach Radar, the aircraft overshot the runway twice and then entered hold. On hearing another Vanguard had made its landing, the pilot made another try On its final approach to runway 28R, the crew decided to overshoot, taking the nose up and reducing flaps. However the aircraft crashed 2,600 feet from the threshold at around 01:23 and burst into flames, killing everyone on board.
Investigation and findings
The investigation into the crash revealed several key factors:
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.
The investigation attributed the crash to pilot error. Contributing factors included low visibility, incorrect information given to the pilot, pilot fatigue, anxiety, lack of experience in landing in fog, and a series of procedural errors during the landing attempts. The aircraft had performed two 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 honour 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.
- ICAO Circular p70, 72-73
- ^ "Edinburgh plane crash victims remembered 50 years on". Edinburgh Evening News. 20 October 2015. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
- "Aviation Safety Network". flightsafety.org. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
citing ICAO Circular 88-AN/74 Volume III (70-82)
- "Edinburgh Airport tribute to victims of 1965 crash". Daily Express. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
- "ICAO Circular 88-AN/74 Volume III" (PDF). p. 70-82.
- 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