Narrative:The aircraft was mid way over the Channel when the starboard engine failed. The aircraft slowly lost speed and height the pilot managed a tail up landing on the sea. The passengers and crew climbed out of the emergency exit in the roof of the aircraft. At the time of landing there was not a boat in sight. Gradually the aircraft began to sink at the nose the rising water forced the occupants towards the tail. Then two fishing smacks were seen rushing to the rescue having cut their gear adrift to do so. The 1st to arrive was the Invicta who took off 10 of occupants the second smack came alongside and took off the other two. The mail and some other cargo was also salvaged. The only casualty was a Pommeranian dog belonging to one of the women passengers. They were immediately taken to Folkestone.
Classification:
Ditching
Sources:
»
Flight Magazine dated October 28th 1926
Photos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does
not display the exact flight path.
Distance from London-Croydon Airport to Paris-Le Bourget Airport as the crow flies is 319 km (199 miles).
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.