Narrative:
The Handley Page Hermes was on a test flight when the controls became jammed. Eyewitnesses saw the plane descending in a series of dives and climbed until it crashed and caught fire.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The accident was caused by the elevator mechanism becoming jammed. This deprived the pilots of control of the aircraft. The jamming was due to the presence of a small extraneous object which entered the control mechanism."
Loss of control
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Tuesday 1 April 1958 |
| Type: |  Handley Page HP.81 Hermes IVA |
| Operator: | Skyways |
| Registration: | G-ALDV |
| MSN: | HP.81/22 |
| First flight: | 1950 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 3 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 3 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | Meesden Green ( United Kingdom)
|
| Phase: | Maneuvering (MNV) |
| Nature: | Test |
| Departure airport: | London-Stansted Airport (STN/EGSS), United Kingdom |
| ? |
The Handley Page Hermes was on a test flight when the controls became jammed. Eyewitnesses saw the plane descending in a series of dives and climbed until it crashed and caught fire.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The accident was caused by the elevator mechanism becoming jammed. This deprived the pilots of control of the aircraft. The jamming was due to the presence of a small extraneous object which entered the control mechanism."
Classification:
Elevator issue Loss of control
Sources:
» ICAO Accident Digest, Circular 59-AN/54 (109-112)Photos
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.
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