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13 fatalities

Aircraft Crash in Wooded Area Near Calabar (VR-NAD)

Calabar, NigeriaFlight

On February 5, 1955, a Bristol 170 Freighter (registration VR-NAD) operated by West African Airways Corporation was involved in an aviation accident near Calabar, Nigeria in flight. 13 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Loss of control in flight following a structural failure of the left wing. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 3 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft crashed in a dense, uninhabited wooded area 84 km northwest of Calabar while cruising at 4,000 feet. The plane was destroyed, and all 13 occupants were killed.

Incident Overview and Location Details During a cruise at an altitude of 4,000 feet, the aircraft lost control and crashed into a dense, uninhabited wooded area. The site of the accident was located approximately 84 kilometers northwest of Calabar. The impact resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft, and all 13 people on board were killed. ## Official Investigation Findings The official investigation determined that the probable cause of the accident was a loss of control in flight. This loss of control occurred following a structural failure of the left wing. The source does not provide specific details regarding the aircraft type, registration, operator, or the exact date of the incident.

Loss of control in flightStructural failure

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 5 Feb 1955 Bristol 170 Freighter accident near Calabar, Nigeria?

An aircraft crashed in a dense, uninhabited wooded area 84 km northwest of Calabar while cruising at 4,000 feet. The plane was destroyed, and all 13 occupants were killed.

Were there any fatalities in the 5 Feb 1955 Bristol 170 Freighter accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 13 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 5 Feb 1955 involved a Bristol 170 Freighter, registration VR-NAD, operated by West African Airways Corporation, at Calabar, Nigeria.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Loss of control in flight following a structural failure of the left wing.

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