50th anniversary of Fernhurst Caravelle crash

[DaveReidUK]

A memorial service took place today to remember the 37 victims who died in the crash of an Iberia Caravelle inbound to Heathrow on Blackdown Hill, Fernhurst, Sussex on 4th November 1967.

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Fernhurst Blackdown air crash (http://www.fernhurstsociety.org.uk/caravelle.html)

[canberra97]

I'd never known of this crash until yesterday when my father mentioned that it was the 50th anniversary although he must have seen it on the news, I assured him without knowing about the crash that as far as I was aware there had never been a crash in the United Kingdom involving a Caravelle and in particular Iberia and I thought that he might have things a mixed up but after reading this post I was surprised to learn that there actually was a crash involving an Iberia Caravelle in Surrey fifty years ago.

Like the old saying goes 'you learn something everyday' and you do and I love that.

I will have to show him the Pathe news clip and I think he will appreciate saying 'I told you so', well he is 81yo I'll let him off!

Thanks for posting.

[Wander00]

June Thorburn, one of the favourite actresses in my youth was one of those who died in that accident

[pppdrive]

June Throburn was the wife of my Boss at my first job. I had only just met June a few weeks before the accident. Very sad time for all.

[Discorde]

In several accidents and incidents (including this one) mis-reading of three-pointer altimeters was thought to be a contributory factor. On the BEA Vanguard/ Merchantman fleet a flashing green light on the instrument panel alerted crews when the aircraft passed through 10,000 feet on the descent. I've got a vague memory that the alert also activated at the same altitude during the climb (as a cue to check pressurisation) but that recollection might be false.

[BEagle]

One of our ULAS QFIs had flown the Vampire during his flying training days. He told us that one night he'd scared himself rigid when he found himself descending out of the clouds at 2000', thinking he was at 12000, thanks to the lethal 3-pointer altimeter.

Fortunately he was over Lincolnshire at the time...

It's surprising that so few people seemed to know much about the tragic Iberia accident, given that it was only 5 months after the Stockport Argonaut accident - which is certainly in the public memory.

[DaveReidUK]

It's surprising that so few people seemed to know much about the tragic Iberia accident, given that it was only 5 months after the Stockport Argonaut accident - which is certainly in the public memory.

Another 50th anniversary due in just over a year's time, for an equally tragic accident on approach to Gatwick that I suspect isn't widely known about either:

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[Wander00]

Odd- all I get is a big blue lined box and a no-entry sign

[DaveReidUK]

Odd- all I get is a big blue lined box and a no-entry sign

Looks OK on my screen. Here's the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wWlYyEK9s8

[Fly.Buy]

As well as the Afghan 727 there was a Turkish Viscount carrying the Turkish prime minister which crashed in woods not far from Gatwick

[Wander00]

DR - thanks, don't recall that accident. VMT also for Alcock and Browne info elsewhere

[Meikleour]

Was not the B727 crash at LGW the spur for the introduction of the RVR approach ban in the UK? Prior to that an approach could be made (to have a look) whatever the visibility.

[Alan Baker]

It's surprising that so few people seemed to know much about the tragic Iberia accident, given that it was only 5 months after the Stockport Argonaut accident - which is certainly in the public memory.

The Iberia accident was quickly pushed out of the headlines by the Hither Green rail crash the next day, in which more than forty people died. A pretty disastrous weekend.

[Wander00]

Now, oddly, Hither Green I do recall

[WHBM]

Now, oddly, Hither Green I do recall
Robin Gibb, much later well to the fore in championing the Bomber Command memorial in Green Park, was on board the Hither Green train. Although his carriage was one of those that overturned, he escaped injury.

[stevef]

I have the Sunday Mirror Number 238, dated 5/11/67 in front of me as I write this:
37 killed In Jet Horror: Disaster On Sheep Farm As London Airliner Crashes.
Even at this early stage, they were querying why it was flying 4000 ft lower than the recommended height as it passed over Midhurst, five miles from the crash scene.

[rog747]

As well as the Afghan 727 there was a Turkish Viscount carrying the Turkish prime minister which crashed in woods not far from Gatwick

an Iberia/aviaco holiday flight Connie nearly came to grief in similar circumstances at LGW early 60's when it descended too low and brushed Russ Hill on the App.
Gatwick Aviation Society - Accident to Iberia L-1049 EC-AMQ (http://www.gatwickaviationsociety.org.uk/ECAMQ.asp)

another forgotten crash due likely wrong altimeter settings is Britannia Airways G-ANBB at Ljubljana in 1966
http://www.pprune.org/aviation-history-nostalgia/537216-ljubljana-air-crash-1966-a.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_bFwPlhrF4

[WHBM]

It seems extraordinary that, well into the jet age, and thus my lifetime, jet airliners were using instruments and procedures little more sophisticated than those on my PA28, yet were flying in IMC 24x7.

[ZeBedie]

Yup, that's how it was and that's largely why there were so many smoking holes in the ground.