List of aviation accidents and incidents in the Channel Islands
This article lists some of the aviation accidents and incidents in the Channel Islands from the 1910s to the 2010s.
1910s
In May 1917, a French seaplane, operating out of the Saint Peter Port French seaplane base, crashed, killing the pilot officer.
1930s
On 29 June 1936, a de Havilland DH.84 DragonRozel Bay overshot Alderney Airport. It was landing with six passengers on board and the pilot, new to the airline, ran out of runway breaking the starboard propeller and damaging the undercarriage as he hit a bank. There were no fatalities and the aircraft flew soon after.[1]
On 31 July 1936, a Saro A.19 Cloud amphibian (registration: G-ABXW) "Cloud of Iona" went missing on a flight from Guernsey to Jersey on a stormy evening. All ten occupants died. The investigation concluded that the aircraft was forced to land in the sea due to loss of engine power, and was then swamped by the waves.[2]
On 4 November 1938, a DH.86 G-ACZN "St. Catherine's Bay" crashed at St. Peter's shortly after take-off from Jersey airport, en route to Southampton. All 13 occupants were killed in addition to one person on the ground.[3]
1940s
Civil flying was entirely disallowed during the German occupation of the Channel Islands from June 1940 - May 1945. However, many British and Luftwaffe aircraft crashlanded in and around the islands, with 139 fatal Allied casualties. A memorial to the Allied casualties has been erected at Guernsey Airport[4]
World War 2
On 29 July 1940 a Heinkel He 111 from I/KG 27 crashed into the sea near Guernsey, the crew survived.[5]
On 13 August 1940 a Messerschmitt Bf 109E-4 of II/JG 53 crashed on takeoff from Guernsey Airport, 30% damage, the pilot was unhurt. The plane was left unguarded overnight and souvenir hunters stripped it. A request in the local newspaper resulted in a few hundredweight being delivered to the police station.[6]: 74 [5]
On 23 August 1940 a Junkers Ju 52 (serial: 6324) from IV KGr.z.b.V. 10 suffered mechanical failure and crashed at Jersey Airport, 70% loss.[5]
On 16 October 1940, an Avro Anson (registration: N9889 MW-S) from No. 217 Squadron RAF on a photographic mission ditched during a storm west of Guernsey. The crew of 4 came ashore in Guernsey and taken as POW's.[8]
On 1 November 1940, a Dornier Do 17P (serial: 4086) from 3./(F) 123 of (Aufklärungsgruppe 123 a long-range reconnaissance unit) on a training flight crashed on La Rocco Tower while attempting to land at Jersey Airport. All 4 on board died and plane destroyed.[5]
On 3 November 1940, a Junkers Ju 88A-1 (serial: 0255) from 1./(F) 123 crashed at Jersey Airport following a technical failure. 20% damage, crew OK.[5]
On 5 November 1940, a Bücker Bü 131 (serial: 4494) from 1./(F) 123 crashed at Rozel Jersey the parachute failed and the pilot died.[5]
On 7 November 1940, a Junkers Ju 52 crashed and overturned at Jersey Airport. Casualties over 20, mainly pilots who had finished a training course.
On 19 November 1940, a Heinkel He 111 (serial: 2768) from 3. KGr. 100 (pathfinder squadron) crashed following an engine fire on Crevichon near Jethou off Guernsey, the full bomb load exploding, damaging some buildings on Jethou, the crew of four was killed.[9][5][10]
On 11/12 April 1941, a Hawker Hurricane on a night intruder operation ran out of fuel, the pilot bailed out and landed on LihouGuernsey and became a prisoner of war.[13][14]: 93 [5]
On 18 November 1942, a Supermarine Spitfire Vb (serial: EN830), of 131 Squadron, was hit by Flak over France and crash landed on Jersey in a turnip field. The Free French pilot, P/O Bernard Scheidhauer, waited with locals for the Germans to arrive and was captured.[17]: 91 The aircraft was recovered and freighted to Germany where the aircraft was tested using a German engine designed for a Messerschmitt Bf 109.[18][5] The Pilot was executed after escaping from Stalag Luft III in 1944.
On 23 November 1942, an Avro Lancaster (serial: W4107) from No. 49 Squadron RAF, crash-landed in the field opposite Seigneurie farm on Sark, having run out of fuel. They thought they were landing in the Isle of Wight. All the crew were survivors, other crew having bailed out over France.[19][20]: 22 [5][21]: 135
On 7 December 1942, a Westland Whirlwind (serial: P7105) from No. 263 Squadron RAF piloted by the Sqdn Leader was hit by flak and ditched south of Jersey after attacking shipping. The pilot was killed.[22][21]: 135
On 23 August 1943, a Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-3 (serial: 304) from 2. NAGr./13 was shot down by friendly flak over Herm.[5]
On 7 September 1943, a Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-3 (serial: 351) from 2. /NAGr. 12 Overturned on landing due to pilot error. 75% damage.
On 31 December 1943, a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress IIRC "Speed Ball" (serial: 42-37731) from 511th BS of the 351st Bomb Group was attacked by fighters, damaged and ditched at 14.30, 12 miles north of Guernsey 1 KIA, 9 took to boats but only two were picked up next morning and made POW's.[27][28][5]
On 31 December 1943, a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress IIRC "Piccadilly Commando" (serial: 42-29630) from 508th BS of the 351st Bomb Group was damaged over an airfield near Cognac, losing two engines and height the plane ditched west of Guernsey 11 were rescued from a reef and became POW's.[29][30]
On 7 February 1944, a Mustang P-51B of 355th Fighter Squadron of the 354th Pioneer Mustang Group, 9th US Army Air Force, escorting bombers back from a raid on Germany was badly damaged and off course when he was shot down by flak over Saint Ouen, Jersey. The pilot bailed out and was injured on landing then captured, becoming a prisoner of war.[32][5]
In June 1944 a carrier borne Grumman F6F Hellcat crashed after being hit by flak on the beach north of Herm The pilot became a prisoner of war.
On 2 June 1944, a Supermarine Spitfire (serial: MB843) from No. 41 Squadron RAF on an early morning shipping reconnaissance to Peter Point, Guernsey, then on to St Malo. Shot down by Flak from Brehon Tower near Guernsey. Hit in the radiator. The American RAFVR pilot bailed out 4 to 6 miles northeast of Guernsey and became a POW.[35]
On 7 June 1944, a Supermarine Spitfire (serial: MB881) from No. 41 Squadron RAF escorting Typhoons on a shipping strike against Saint Peter Port, it was hit by flak. The pilot bailed out of the aircraft which crashed into the sea SE Sark, attempted recovery failed and he did not survive.[36]
On 8 June 1944 a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress "Our Captain" (serial: 42-97238) from 534th Bombardment Squadron, part of 381 BG, on mission 131 was hit by flak over Lorient damaging 2 engines and losing height ditched 30 miles west of Jersey. Two Supermarine Spitfires located the crew in their rafts, followed by a Vickers Warwick which dropped a motor boat by parachute, enabling the crew to make their safe escape.[37][5]
On 27 July 1944, an Avro Lancaster crashed into the sea east of Essex Castle. No boat was sent out from Braye harbour and no assistance was provided to try rescuing the crew.[21]: 136
On 9/10 August 1944, a Short Stirling (serial: EF256) from No. 620 Squadron RAF on Operation Ditcher, ditched into the sea after being hit by anti-aircraft fire between Jersey and the French coast. The crew of 7 survived but 2 paratroopers from 3SAS drowned.[42]
On 30 October 1944, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (serial: 43-48592) already in trouble due to tech problems as it passed low over Jersey with its landing lights on as a sign of distress and believing the anti-aircraft fire was from US guns. Distress flares were dropped and German flak held off for a while. However, as it flew over the north coast a 20mm flak battery opened up and the plane crashed into the sea near to the small harbour of Bouley Bay. There was only one survivor.[43][5]
7 January 1945, a Lockheed P-38 Lightning being ferried from the north of England got lost and thinking he was over the Isle of Wight signalled he intended to land, anti-aircraft guns fired and he crashed into the cliffs at Beauport, SW of Jersey, the wounded pilot, Lt Moutray, had parachuted out and was rescued from St Brelades Bay by lifeboat after a Jersey civilian, John De La Haye had paddled out to help him. De La Haye was awarded the US Medal of Freedom for his actions.[44]: 120 [5][45]
On 5 February 1951 an Avro Anson 652A (registration: G-AIXZ) undershot the Jersey Airport on approaching in fog. The aircraft was carrying national newspapers. The pilot and co-pilot survived but the aircraft was written off.[48]
In 1951 a de Havilland Dragon Rapide DH89A (registration: G-AGWR) operated by Morton Air Services, overshot the runway and ended up near the Airport boundary. The aircraft survived and was subsequently re-registered in Norway, and after that, in Sweden.[49]
On 15 August 1958, a Jersey Airlinesde Havilland Heron (registration: G-AMYU) crash-landed on the grass next to the runway at Guernsey Airport and stopped on the road. Sole pilot was uninjured. Aircraft damaged beyond repair.[52]
1960s
On 1 November 1961, a Silver City AirwaysBristol Freighter coming from Cherbourg – Maupertus Airport crashed on aborting approach to Guernsey due to malfunctioning of the automatic pitch coarsening unit of the starboard propeller, killing the two pilots with the other 8 occupants surviving.[53]
On 26 September 1963, a British United Air FerriesBristol Superfreighter (registration:G-AMWA) overran runway 28 at Guernsey Airport after engine problems. None of the 3 crew and 1 passenger was injured but the aircraft was written off.[54]
On 26 August 1966, a private Piper PA-22-160, (registration:G-ARXK) stalled while turning on its final approach to the aerodrome, crashing into the sea, 200 yards from Alderney, where the pilot and two passengers drowned.[56]
On 14 September 1975, a Vickers Viscount on a charter flight from East Midlands (registration: G-AZNH) made a heavy landing at Guernsey Airport that caused the nose wheel to collapse. None of the 78 passengers or crew were harmed.[60]
1980s
On 1 October 1980, a private Cessna Citation (registration: G-BPCP) crashed on approach to Jersey Airport, killing the only pilot who was on a flight from Cardiff.[61]
On 18 September 1981, a Jersey European Airways Flight 245 Britten-Norman Islander (registration: G-BDNP) on a flight from Jersey Airport to Guernsey Airport crashed on approach when one of the engines stopped. The pilot tried to land at Guernsey Airport but failed and then attempted to land in a field but crashed into a stone wall. None of the 9 passengers or crew were killed in the accident, however the pilot was badly injured. The pilot had intended to fly a version of the Islander with fuel tanks on the tips of the wings, but due to technical problems took another plane. Thus the engine ran out of fuel, stopped and caused the accident.[62]
On 3 October 1981, a private fight Partenavia P.68 (registration: EC-DHE) on a flight from Cardiff Airport to Alicante–Elche Airport Aircraft was on a night IFR flight when one of the engines failed. Pilot could not maintain height and eventually crashed into the sea 5m SE off Guernsey. (The aircraft was never found) None of the 5 occupants survived.[63]
On 16 September 1982, a private fight Wassmer WA-41 (reference: G-BAGM) crashed into the sea 20 miles north of Alderney[64]
1990s
On 23 May 1995, a Brymon AirwaysDe Havilland Canada Dash 8 (registration: G-BRYJ) tail struck the runway 27 at Jersey Airport. The incident caused some damage to the tail of the aircraft. None of the 4 crew and 44 passengers were injured in the incident.[65]
On 7 December 1997, an AirUK F-27-500F (registration: G-BNCY) a flight from Southampton Airport to Guernsey Airport was involved in a landing accident at Guernsey Airport. The aircraft overran runway 27 while landing in high (34 kt) crosswinds and came to rest in an adjacent field with its left landing gear collapsed. There were no injuries among the 50 passengers and 4 crew. (The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and subsequently written off.)[66]
On 12 June 1998, a private Piper PA-31 Navajo (registration: CN-TFP) on a flight from Tangier to Iceland. The pilot was going to refuel in France but kept on flying to Guernsey. As the aircraft was over the Channel islands the aircraft ran out of fuel and the pilot ditched the aircraft into the sea just north-west of Jersey. The accident killed the only pilot on the aircraft.[67]
On 12 January 1999, a Channel Express F-27-600F (registration: G-CHNL) cargo flight from Luton Airport to Guernsey Airport was incorrectly loaded affecting centre of gravity, stalled on approach to the airport, crashed, and caught fire. The fire spread to two nearby homes, killing the pilots and injuring one person on the ground.[68]
On 13 October 2001, a Europa XS 912 light aircraft, (registration: G-BWGH) flying from Jersey Airport suffered engine failure and crash landed on Little Sark. The two occupants were uninjured. The aircraft was written off.[70]
On 8 March 2006, a HS748 Series 2a (registration: G-BVOV) overran the runway at Guernsey Airport. There were no injuries. The cause of the accident was that the flight crew did not operate the propeller controls correctly, meaning that less drag was created than would have been had the controls been operated correctly.[71] The aircraft body now rests in a quarry in Capernwray, Lancashire where it is used by divers.
On 23 August 2009, a private Piper Saratoga (registration: G-BTCA) crashed due to turbulence caused by nearby cliffs on approach to Alderney Airport. The pilot and 3 passengers sustained minor injuries.[72]
2010s
On 12 November 2011, a Piper PA-28-181 Archer II (registration: G-BXRG) owned by Alderney Flying Training Ltd. ditched in the sea near the Casquettes, 25 miles northwest of Alderney. The reason for the accident is not known. Of the two occupants in the aircraft, the passenger was rescued by a merchant ship. The pilot has not been found.[73]
On 16 June 2012, an ATR 42 (registration: G-DRFC) owned by Blue Islands suffered an undercarriage failure on landing at Jersey Airport. No one was hurt but the aircraft was written off.[75]
On 3 November 2013, a Britten-Norman Islander BN2B-21 (registration: G-CIAS) owned by Channel Islands Air Search on a search and rescue mission flight from Guernsey Airport suffered fuel problems resulting in a crash landing on the north coast of Jersey. There were no injuries.[76]
On 17 June 2014, a Socata TB10 (registration: G-POPI) taking off from Guernsey Airport suffered a mechanical failure and struck a greenhouse shortly after becoming airborne. The aircraft was written off. There were no injuries.[77]
On 21 January 2019, a Piper PA-46 (registration: N264DB) disappeared from radar screens and crashed near Les Casquets, 8 miles north-west of Alderney. Argentinian footballer Emiliano Sala was aboard the aircraft, which was flying from Nantes to Cardiff. The wreckage of the aircraft was found thirteen days later on the seabed at a depth of 220 feet (67 m). On 7 February, Sala's body was recovered from the wreckage. No trace of the pilot was found. Carbon monoxide may have been the cause.
(Mar ‘22) Emiliano Sala died instantly from 'head and trunk injuries' and was 'deeply unconscious' when the plane crashed after breaking up mid-air, a jury has concluded.
2020s
On 23 April 2024 a De Havilland Canada Dash 8 (registration: 9H-LWB) on wet-lease to Aurigny from Luxwing arriving from London Gatwick overshot runway 27 when landing at Guernsey Airport. None of the 63 passengers and 4 crew were injured, disembarking the aircraft on the grass and being transported back to the terminal via bus; the aircraft itself was seemingly undamaged. The aerodrome was closed for two hours while crews attended to the aircraft, before being reopened for the later services, which had been delayed, to arrive. An investigation into the cause of the incident is being conducted. [78]
On 23 May 2024 a Dornier 228 NG (registration: G-ETAC) operated by Aurigny from Alderney arriving into Guernsey suffered a hydraulic failure shortly after landing. This resulted in the aerodrome closing for roughly 40 minutes. None of the 17 passengers or crew were injured.[79]
References
Footnotes
^Pinnegar, Edward. A History of Aviation in Alderney.
^Doyle, Neville. From Sea-Eagle to Flamingo: Channel Islands Airlines 1923-1939.