Investigation Summary
The flight was a scheduled international service from Brussels to London. As the aircraft approached the London area between 16:30 and 17:00 GMT, it encountered poor visibility and a low cloud ceiling. Investigators found that the pilot did not utilize radio bearings from Croydon to confirm his position, instead attempting to navigate visually. The aircraft was heard by witnesses with engines not running smoothly, though carburettor icing was later ruled out by the inquest. The investigation concluded that the pilot likely mistook the lights of Biggin Hill for Croydon or realized he was too low relative to the terrain. In an attempt to avoid the hillside, he initiated a sharp climbing turn to the left. This maneuver caused the aircraft to lose flying speed and stall. The aircraft impacted the hillside 140 feet below the summit, emphasizing how close it came to clearing the terrain. A contributing factor noted in the final report was the potential shifting of passengers forward during the stall, which would have altered the center of gravity and made recovery nearly impossible.
Final Conclusions
The UK Accidents Investigation Branch concluded that the primary cause was pilot error. The pilot descended out of clouds prematurely while uncertain of his position and subsequently stalled the aircraft during an evasive climbing turn. Weather was cited as a contributory factor. No evidence of mechanical or structural failure was found. The inquest at Caterham returned verdicts of accidental death for all victims on January 16, 1936.
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Airframe & Maintenance
Systems & Failure Modes
Carburettor
Investigators specifically examined the carburettors for icing due to witness reports of rough engine noise, but ruled it out as a cause.
Radio Navigation
The aircraft was equipped with radio, but the crew did not request bearings from the destination airport to assist with the approach in low visibility.
Interesting Facts
- 01All 11 occupants, including 4 crew and 7 passengers, were killed in the crash.
- 02The aircraft was a Savoia-Marchetti S.73 with construction number 30004.
- 03The aircraft had entered service on 6 May 1935, only seven months prior to the accident.
- 04British tank designer Sir John Carden was among the fatalities.
- 05The crash site was located approximately 13 km southeast of Croydon Airport.
- 06The investigation noted that sightseers looted portions of the wreckage for souvenirs before it could be fully secured.
- 07The pilot had been employed by SABENA since 1927 and was considered experienced.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Wreckage Security Criticism
Major Cooper, the Air Ministry inspector, publicly criticized the lack of security at the crash site after sightseers looted portions of the wreckage for souvenirs, potentially compromising the investigation.