Disappearance of a Four-Engine Aircraft Over the Atlantic (G-AHFA)

Flight Details and Disappearance A four-engine aircraft departed Lajes Airport in the Azores Islands at 2325LT on February 1, en route from Stansted to Kingston, Jamaica. The flight was carrying Royal Air Force personnel and their family members. While approaching the Canadian coast at night, the crew transmitted a brief emergency message, the content of which is unknown. The aircraft subsequently crashed into the Atlantic Ocean approximately 500 km southeast of Saint John's, at coordinates roughly 46°15′N 46°31′W. ## Search and Recovery Because the aircraft did not arrive at Gander, search and rescue operations were initiated. The search was suspended after several days when no trace of the aircraft or its 39 occupants was located. Weather conditions at the time of the accident were reported as good. ## Crew The crew consisted of D. Nicholls (pilot), P. E. Walton (copilot), A. E. Chopping (navigator), J. A. Davis (radio officer), R. G. Lawrence (flight engineer), and P. M. Newton (stewardess). ## Investigation Findings Official findings stated that the cause of the accident could not be determined because no wreckage was found. It was noted that the flying crew had been on duty for 19 hours at the time of the accident, which was considered a possible contributory factor.