Fatal Accident (80) – Avro 689 Tudor 5, G-AKBY, near Llandow, United Kingdom, March 12, 1950
ASX Investigation | ||||
On March 12, 1950, an Avro 689 Tudor V aircraft, registered as G-AKBY and operated by Airflight Ltd under the “Fairflight” brand, crashed near Llandow Aerodrome in Wales. The aircraft had been chartered to transport Welsh rugby supporters returning from an international match between Wales and Ireland in Belfast. The flight originated from Dublin Airport with 78 passengers and 5 crew members on board. The aircraft was originally configured for 72 passengers, but modifications were made to accommodate six additional individuals. This event, which resulted in 80 fatalities, was the deadliest air disaster in history at that time. The aircraft, named Star Girl, was approaching Runway 28 of Llandow Aerodrome when witnesses observed it flying at an unusually low altitude. The pilot attempted to correct the approach by increasing engine power, causing the aircraft to pitch upward steeply, reaching a nose-up attitude of approximately 35 degrees. This sudden increase in pitch resulted in an aerodynamic stall, leading to the aircraft plummeting uncontrollably. It struck the ground with the right wingtip first, followed by the nose and the left wing, which detached upon impact. The crash occurred in a field near the hamlet of Sigingstone, a few miles from the intended destination. The investigation into the crash revealed that improper weight distribution contributed significantly to the accident. The aircraft’s center of gravity had shifted too far aft, reducing the effectiveness of the elevators, which control the aircraft’s pitch. This made it difficult to recover from the steep climb initiated during the final approach. The Avro Tudor V had a history of operational concerns, and prior to this disaster, the model had been involved in several fatal accidents. As a result, it had already been banned from passenger service on Britain’s state-owned airlines, raising concerns about its safety. The aircraft had performed a successful outbound flight from Llandow to Dublin without any reported anomalies. Weather conditions on the return flight were clear, and no mechanical failures were reported before the stall occurred. The aircraft’s engines were functioning, but the sudden and extreme change in attitude exceeded the aircraft’s handling limits, rendering it uncontrollable. The absence of a post-impact fire allowed for some survivors to escape the wreckage, though most occupants succumbed to the crash forces. Of the 83 individuals onboard, only three survived. Two of them were seated in a section at the tail, where additional seats had been bolted in, while the third survivor had been in the lavatory at the time of impact and was found unconscious. Eight individuals initially survived the crash but later succumbed to their injuries in the hospital, raising the final death toll to 80. Among the victims were several members of local rugby clubs, including Llanharan RFC and Abercarn RFC, who lost multiple players. The impact of the disaster was deeply felt across Wales, as many of those on board had just witnessed a historic victory for the Welsh national rugby team. In the following weeks, tributes were held, including a solemn moment of silence during Wales’ next international match. The tragedy overshadowed the rugby team’s achievements and left a lasting mark on the community. The disaster also prompted increased scrutiny of the Avro Tudor series, further accelerating its phase-out from operational service. The official investigation, led by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, concluded that the improper loading of the aircraft was the primary cause of the accident. The shift in the center of gravity affected the aircraft’s stability, leading to the uncontrollable stall. This event served as a stark reminder of the critical importance of weight distribution in aviation, particularly in the loading of passenger aircraft. While the aircraft had been modified to carry more passengers, the necessary adjustments to maintain its safe handling characteristics had not been made. The Llandow disaster was the deadliest aviation accident at the time, surpassing the previous record set by the crash of the U.S. Navy dirigible *Akron* in 1933, which had resulted in 73 fatalities. It remained the worst civilian air disaster until the mid-1950s when larger-scale accidents began occurring as aviation technology advanced. The crash also highlighted the limitations of the Avro Tudor series, which had a troubled operational history despite its role in the Berlin Airlift. A memorial plaque was later installed in Sigingstone to commemorate the victims. The crash’s impact on aviation safety led to more stringent weight and balance regulations in subsequent years. The disaster remains one of the most significant in Welsh history, both for its scale and its connection to a momentous sporting event. Though largely forgotten outside the region, the Llandow air disaster played a pivotal role in shaping modern aviation safety standards. | ||||
Accident Information | ||||
Approx. Accident Location | Aircraft Fatalities 80 | Ground Fatalities 0 | Injured 3 |  |
Aircraft Information | ||||
Aircraft Type | Operator Fairflight | Registration G-AKBY | Serial Number 1417 | Manufacture date 1947 |
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Accident Weather |  | Official Preliminary Report | Official Final Report | |