No fatalities

Aircraft ditched off Ibiza after fuel system failure (70-10)

Ibiza, SpainFlight

On January 30, 1938, a Dornier Do J Wal (registration 70-10) operated by Spanish Air Force - Aviación Nacional (1936-1939) was involved in an aviation accident near Ibiza, Spain in flight. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Engine failure caused by a malfunction in the fuel pressure system. 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 2026-08-04Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft was forced to ditch in rough seas off Ibiza due to a fuel pressure system malfunction. All five crew members evacuated safely before the plane was destroyed by winds.

What happened

The incident began when a malfunction of the fuel pressure system resulted in the failure of both engines. With no power remaining, the crew had no choice but to execute an emergency ditching maneuver in the waters off the coast of Ibiza. The sea conditions at the time were rough, adding to the difficulty of the situation.

Following the water landing, the aircraft remained afloat for a period. However, strong winds subsequently pushed the wreckage toward the shore. Upon reaching the beach, the structural integrity of the airframe could not withstand the impact and environmental forces, leading to the total destruction of the machine.

Despite the severity of the ditching and the subsequent destruction of the aircraft, all five members of the crew managed to evacuate the sinking or drifting fuselage safely. There were no fatalities reported in this event.

Findings

The official investigation identified the root cause of the emergency as a mechanical issue within the fuel system. Specifically, the malfunction of the fuel pressure system was determined to be the direct cause of the engine failure that necessitated the ditching.

Probable cause

Engine failure caused by a malfunction in the fuel pressure system.