Investigation Summary
The accident involved the last Vickers Wellington in service with the Fleet Air Arm. On the morning of the crash, the crew conducted a pre-flight inspection and declared the aircraft airworthy for a training exercise with a Spitfire from No. 73 Squadron RAF. The exercise involved the Spitfire performing dummy attacks while the Wellington practiced evasive maneuvers. After three successful passes, the Spitfire began a fourth attack from below. At an altitude of approximately 4,000 to 5,000 feet, the Wellington suddenly turned to port and began a steady descent. It struck a row of houses in St. Publius Street, Rabat, and exploded. The resulting fire and structural collapses destroyed 18 houses and left 72 families homeless. Rescue efforts were complicated by unstable masonry and the spread of fire, requiring the use of naval generators to continue work through the night.
Final Conclusions
The magisterial inquiry led by Magistrate Albert Camilleri concluded that while the exact cause could not be determined with absolute certainty, the most probable cause was the leakage of hydraulic fluid. This leak likely released toxic fumes into the cockpit, incapacitating the crew and rendering them unable to maintain control or transmit a distress signal. The inquiry found no evidence of an in-flight fire, despite some witness reports of smoke, and noted that the aircraft had been declared airworthy by the crew just prior to the flight.
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Systems & Failure Modes
Hydraulic System
Investigators suspected a leak in a hydraulic line released fumes into the cockpit, leading to the incapacitation of the flight crew.
Radio Communications
Radio contact was established at the start of the exercise, but no distress signal was transmitted during the final descent.
Interesting Facts
- 01The crash was the first major air disaster in Malta following the end of World War II.
- 02All 20 fatalities occurred instantly or shortly after the crash, including six children on the ground.
- 03The property damage was estimated at approximately £11,000 in 1946 values.
- 04At least 10 people were rescued alive from the rubble by military and civilian search teams.
- 05The aircraft was one of the final two Wellingtons remaining on the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm charge.
Known Controversies & Unanswered Questions
Pre-impact Smoke Observations
Reference ↗Several ground witnesses claimed to see smoke billowing from the aircraft before it crashed, suggesting an in-flight fire, but the official magisterial inquiry found no evidence to support this.
Location
APPROXIMATE POSITION · AIRPORT LEVEL · Coordinates are the estimate published in the geocoded place name. The ring shows the accuracy the record supports, not the point of impact.