No fatalities

Cargo Aircraft Emergency Landing at H3 Oil Station Airfield (G-AGLF)

H3 Oil Station, IraqLanding (descent or approach)

On May 11, 1947, an Avro 691 Lancastrian (registration G-AGLF) operated by Skyways of London was involved in an aviation accident near H3 Oil Station, Iraq during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-08-05Data APIEditorial standards

A four-engine cargo aircraft diverted from a Cairo-Basra route to make an emergency landing at H3 Oil Station Airfield after encountering unexpected conditions. All four occupants survived the incident, though the airframe was destroyed.

What happened

During a scheduled cargo operation traveling between Cairo and Basra, the flight crew encountered an unforeseen situation while en route. In response to these developing conditions, the pilots elected to divert the aircraft to the H3 Oil Station Airfield for an emergency landing. Upon arrival, the four-engine machine executed a crash landing before coming to rest on the ground. The impact resulted in significant structural damage to the airframe, rendering it beyond repair. Despite the severity of the accident, all four occupants remained unhurt.

Findings

The decision to divert was driven by an unexpected operational situation encountered during the cruise phase. While specific technical details regarding the nature of the emergency are not provided in the available records, the outcome highlights the successful execution of an emergency procedure that preserved life despite total loss of the aircraft.