Air Ferry DC-4 Crash 3 June 1967

[Frenchlands]

June 2017 - 50th Anniversary of the Disaster

We are approaching the 50th Anniversary of the Disaster at Py in 1967.
Are there any plans to commemorate this event this year? I am not related to any of those who lost their lives in this disaster, but, as a person in my youth who knew families who lost their lives in the Stockport Air Disaster the following day, I just thought it would be appropriate to enquire whether any plans were in place to mark this memorial in France on the appropriate date. I will be on holiday nearby this coming June and would be available to support any such remembrance on the day at Puy, in the Pyrenees.

[rog747]

Originally Posted by Frenchlands

We are approaching the 50th Anniversary of the Disaster at Py in 1967.
Are there any plans to commemorate this event this year? I am not related to any of those who lost their lives in this disaster, but, as a person in my youth who knew families who lost their lives in the Stockport Air Disaster the following day, I just thought it would be appropriate to enquire whether any plans were in place to mark this memorial in France on the appropriate date. I will be on holiday nearby this coming June and would be available to support any such remembrance on the day at Puy, in the Pyrenees.

not that i know of sorry- tried searching for the mayor (Marie) village of Py or the nearby villages to see if you can make contact with any officials or maybe one of the older hotels/cafes who may have owners who recall the event

link here to marie i found http://mairiedepy.free.fr/
http://mairiedepy.free.fr/

also worth looking back through all the posts here too for more info - i sent an email today to the marie to ask if any events

best of luck let us know how you get on

http://aviation-safety.net/database/...0603-1&lang=fr

as you may know there is much going on for the BMA stockport anniversary with a new book and new tv documentary

i recall the weekend 50 years ago very well waking up to the news of 2 Holiday tour air crashes air ferry and BMA at stockport
Lyon tours and arrowsmith i think were the companies

the sad events were pivotal in tour operators ditching old piston fleets and switching to new jets and jet-props (turboprops)

[Frenchlands]

Py follow-up

Thanks for your information. Let me know if you have a response from the Mairie In Py. I will try to progress this after my arrival in the Languedoc next week, Py is about an hour and a half's drive away - I am happy to visit Py and the Mairie to progress matters if this is possible, but as you may know, the French work in their own, mysterious ways! Let's hope the Mairie are amenable to suggestions!

Originally Posted by rog747

not that i know of sorry- tried searching for the mayor (Marie) village of Py or the nearby villages to see if you can make contact with any officials or maybe one of the older hotels/cafes who may have owners who recall the event

link here to marie i found http://mairiedepy.free.fr/
http://mairiedepy.free.fr/

also worth looking back through all the posts here too for more info - i sent an email today to the marie to ask if any events

best of luck let us know how you get on

Crash-aerien 03 JUN 1967 d'un Douglas C-54A-1-DC (DC-4) G-APYK - Mont Canigou

as you may know there is much going on for the BMA stockport anniversary with a new book and new tv documentary

i recall the weekend 50 years ago very well waking up to the news of 2 Holiday tour air crashes air ferry and BMA at stockport
Lyon tours and arrowsmith i think were the companies

the sad events were pivotal in tour operators ditching old piston fleets and switching to new jets and jet-props (turboprops)

[rog747]

Originally Posted by Frenchlands

Thanks for your information. Let me know if you have a response from the Mairie In Py. I will try to progress this after my arrival in the Languedoc next week, Py is about an hour and a half's drive away - I am happy to visit Py and the Mairie to progress matters if this is possible, but as you may know, the French work in their own, mysterious ways! Let's hope the Mairie are amenable to suggestions!

got your PM thanks
will of course let you know if i get a reply from the Marie - best of luck your end - my suggestion is have a wander around the village and talk to locals

some of the previous posts on here are helpful too

best Rog

[rog747]

re the 50th year of air ferry crash nr. Py Mt Canigou

i just wrote to the Marie (mayor) of Py village and here is the reply just received

[email protected]>
Sent: 20 March 2017 08:16
To: roger
Subject: RE : re 1967 air ferry DC4 airliner crash on Mt Canigou Py 50th anniversary

Dear Roger
Good morning and thank you for you email.
I am sorry but there isn't any memorial service organised in Py.
However if any of the families involved would like to come down to Py then something could probably be arranged.
Please do let me know
Regards
Françoise Elliott
Maire Adjointe de Py

[ozsmac]

Just adding my personal connection to this thread, Annie and Henry Smith were my Mothers parents, and from the stories I've heard would have been wonderful grandparents to my brother and I. Poor Mum lost them to this tragedy when she was 18, and this incident still leaves a very noticeable daily impact upon our family, and no doubt many others.

I ho

[stalwart53]

I would dearly love to make the trip to Py for the anniversary, because my sister was the lead hostess on the plane, but due to a recent stroke (not severe, but bad enough), I have to miss out. When I was there in 1998, I met an English woman who along with her husband, ran a wine cellara little further down the valley (possibly in Sahorre), and she had kept all the local newspapers from the time, and they had a lot of information. I also met the son of the mayor at the time of the crash, and he was also very knowledgeable, he also used to be a mechanic for Alain Prost the racing driver.
At the time, that time I met a number of very friendly people in and around the village, though I haven't been back since then, I'm sure they are just as friendly now, and more so if you at least try to communicate in French.

[Jo Illingworth]

Originally Posted by stalwart53

I've only just found this forum after Googling for "G_APYK", and after a quick look through this topic I understand that someone was asking for a list of victims. I have such a list, which is part of the official French investigation document, and it is as follows :-
Mr Pullinger (Ronald), commandant de bord.
Mr Isaacs (Edward), copilote.
Mr Fisher (Richard), second officier.
Miss Dunn (Catherine), première hôtesse.
Miss Mc Cann (Patricia), deuxième hôtesse.
Mr Allen (David).
Mrs Beauchamp (Mary).
Mr Beaver (Graham).
Mr Bray (Charles).
Mrs Bray (Barbara).
Mr Brown (John).
Mr Cain (Harry).
Mrs Cain (Mary).
Miss Cunningham (Margaret).
Mr Clark (John).
Mrs Clark (Nellie).
Mr Mc Cormick (John).
Mr Drayton (Philip).
Mrs Drayton (Kathïeen).
Mr Dossor (Peter).
Mr Dunlop (Robert).
Miss Edwards (Patricia).
Mr Fowler (Alan).
Mr Flowers (Frederick).
Mrs Flowers (Jean).
Mr Me Gowan (Terence).
Mr Hancock (Barry).
Mr Handley (John).
Mrs Handley (Shirley).
Miss Handley (Claire).
Mr Heath (Anthony).
Mrs Hutson (Doris).
Mr Hugginson (Brian).
Mrs Hugginson (Kathryn).
Miss Hughes (Diana).
Mr Illingworth (Ernest).
Mrs Illingworth (Margaret).
Mr Mc Intyre (John).
Mrs Mc Intyre (Elizabeth).
Mr Jackson (Peter).
Mrs Jackson (Vera).
Master Jackson (Christopher).
Master A. Jackson (Adrian).
Miss Jackson (Dianne).
Mr James (David).
Mrs James (Dora).
Mrs Jones (Kathleen).
Mr Jones (James).
Mr Kanavagh (Brian).
Mr Kirkup (John).
Mr Kenyon (May).
Mrs Lamb (Ellen).
Miss Liversage (Joyce).
Mr Martin (Ronald).
Mrs Martin (Lilian).
Mr Muller (Paul).
Mrs Muller (Phyllis).
Mr Mason (James).
Mrs Mason (Bertha).
Mr Nicholson (Joseph).
Mrs Nicholson (Isabel).
Mr Nicol (Joseph).
Mr Nicholas (James).
Mrs Nicholas (Rita).
Master Nicholas (David).
Enfant Nicholas (Sarah).
Mr Ratcliffe (William).
Mrs Ratcliffe (Shelagh),
Mr Rafferty (William).
Mrs Reed (Enid).
Miss Scott (Marie).
Mr Smith (Henry).
Mrs Smith (Annie).
Mr Shann (David).
Mr Strutt (Frederick).
Mrs Strutt (Mary).
Mr Sullivan (John).
Mrs Sullivan (Maureen).
Mr Spooner (Edward).
Mr Taylor (Royston).
Mrs Taylor (Nancy).
Mrs Tomlinson (Charlotte).
Mrs Tully (Béryl).
Mr Vincent (Alan).
Mr Whitton (David).
Mr Wedge (George).
Mr Wilson (Brennan).
Mr Potter (Ronald).
This list was never included in the official British report.

Ernie Illingworth was my Grandfathers brother and Margaret was Ernies wife. My Grandfather had booked to go on that holiday but had cancelled due to my Nana having bad feelings, how different things could have been.

[lotus1]

I remember my aunt and uncle going to Spain with Air ferry they had to catch a east Kent coach from Victoria station then to manston story goes this was there first flight in a aircraft and when they had done the booking was advised to do a will? They said when they rolled up at manston and saw what they was flying on they thought to there selfs did the holiday agent know something but they said they had a great holiday. I remember visiting manston around 96 while looking at the tired and exotic 707s which littered the apron I/e omega air with the old invicta hangar which was modern jet support there was another hangar on the left hand side you could faintly see the words Air ferry on this .i have both copies of Airferry and invicta airlines books they are both a good read . RIP to all those who lost there lives in that tragic accident .

[Expressflight]

Does anyone know if Malcolm Finnis, author of 'Twilight of the Pistons' (the Air Ferry story) which was published in 1997, is still around and if so how he can be contacted?

[The AvgasDinosaur]

Originally Posted by Expressflight

Does anyone know if Malcolm Finnis, author of 'Twilight of the Pistons' (the Air Ferry story) which was published in 1997, is still around and if so how he can be contacted?

I have an old email for him, I’ll try and check if it’s still valid.
please PM me your contact details and I will pass them on if able.
Be lucky
David

[Expressflight]

Many thanks David.
PM on its way to you.

[The AvgasDinosaur]

Originally Posted by Expressflight

Many thanks David.
PM on its way to you.

Sorry no reply as yet. Though I did say it’s an old e-mail address but will keep trying.
There was at one time a staff association in that area, might be worth checking?
Be lucky
David

[browndhc2]

Not sure about Air Ferry but Silver City certainly has an Ex staff association whose chairman was Keith Dagwell.They also have an online presence but I am unable to post a link here due to my low number of contributions. Some years ago there were joint reunions with ex-Air Ferry and Invicta folk at Lydd -sorry, Ferryfield the last being several years ago now. Anyhow they may have an up to date contact address/email for Malcolm.

[Thom Bush]

Originally Posted by Spooner67

My nan's brother Edward spooner is one of the seven lads from Sydenham that died in the air crash as they was off on there holiday. It upsets me thinking what my family must have gone through at the time of this tragic accident. We still lay flowers and maintain the graves to this day. RIP lads your never forgotten.

Hi

i spent years looking for details of this crash, I knew 6 of the lads but was a close friend of Brennan Wilson (although thought it was Brandon?) and Ted, your grand uncle! I remember him as a tall guy, lanky was the term we used!

like many I was in shock that day and have never forgotten it! Sadly the world lost some good people that day but never forgotten!

Thom

[cruismad]

You may be able to help me

For over 50 yrs I have told myself to try to find my cousin and I believe you are her child. My father was her dad's brother his name was George. My name is Ann and I used to go to her house in HillVeiw as our school playing fields were opposite there home. Linda was younger than me by a few years and when I left school I did not see her but after the horrible accident I could not believe it and ever since I have asked the family but with no joy. I believe Linda went to live with her mothers family. I did hear she went to Australia so if this is the same lady would you let me know. If not then my apologies.

[rog747]

Originally Posted by cruismad

For over 50 yars I have told myself to try to find my cousin and I believe you are her child. My father was her dad's brother his name was George. My name is Ann and I used to go to her house in Hill View as our school playing fields were opposite there home. Linda was younger than me by a few years and when I left school I did not see her but after the horrible accident I could not believe it and ever since I have asked the family but with no joy. I believe Linda went to live with her mothers family. I did hear she went to Australia so if this is the same lady would you let me know. If not then my apologies.

Just for your assistance there is a full passenger name list in this thread above -

From your own posting I cannot seem to work out who the actual passenger (your relative) was...
Best of luck in your search. (Hillview School is in Tonbridge?)

This post may help - plus the one after - #29
Air Ferry DC-4 Crash 3 June 1967

The memorial to those killed in this air crash, in Brookwood Cemetery, near Woking, at the furthest end of Eastern Avenue. It's next to the memorial for those killed in the Iberia 1967 air crash at Fernhurst, Sussex.
There are a number of Headstones re. the Perpignan crash, in S.E London in Hither Green Cemetery in the Borough of Lewisham, London. Contact them and they will give you the names of those who were buried in the cemetery, and that may give some leads to relatives.

The Air Ferry DC-4 crash that June night in the infamous mountains on approach to Perpignan seems sadly to have become a 'forgotten crash'
The next morning a BMA holiday flight on a similar type of airliner returning from Majorca crashed in Stockport on approach to Manchester.
This accident I think, unwittingly overshadowed the Air Ferry crash in France (near the village of Py) as it happened here at home, and then the investigation was surrounded by theories, to this day still commands an interest with new books, and a latest TV/DVD Documentary.

I feel accidents that happen abroad like the 1961 Derby Aviation DC-3 crash into the same Canigou mountainside en route to Perpignan from LGW due to a navigation error, killing all 34 aboard, the British Eagle Britannia at Innsbruck, Britannia Airways Britannia at Ljubljana, Air Ferry DC-4 Perpignan, Globe Air Britannia Nicosia, Dan Air Comet near Barcelona, Aviogenex TU-134A at Rijeka, and even the Iberia Caravelle crash in Sussex, all seem to get pretty much forgotten.
All, or most of these crash's occurred to package holiday flights where the victims were going as a family group, Mums & Dads, boyfriend & girlfriend, groups of lads or girls and many ironically were on a plane for the first time ever...

[22/04]

Add to those the Invicta Vanguard accident at Basle where many were with a WI from the same village IIRC.

[cruismad]

[QUOTE=ozsmac;9777693]Just adding my personal connection to this thread, Annie and Henry Smith were my Mothers parents, and from the stories I've heard would have been wonderful grandparents to my brother and I. Poor Mum lost them to this tragedy when she was 18, and this incident still leaves a very noticeable daily impact upon our family, and no doubt many others.

[rog747]

Originally Posted by 22/04

Add to those the Invicta Vanguard accident at Basle where many were with a WI from the same village IIRC.

Yes of course, the Basel Vanguard crash slipped my mind apologies....
Additionally one should add British European Airways Flight BE706 flying from Heathrow to Salzburg, Austria.
The flight was operated by a Vickers Vanguard, G-APEC. Many of the victims were British, including a couple of BEA girls on Staff Travel who my pal David knew from working at the WLAT.
Sadly, he also knew the two BEA girls going on holiday to Cyprus aboard ill-fated BEA Comet G-ARCO lost south of Rhodes.