What happened
A four-engine Avro Shackleton departed from Belfast-Aldergrove Airport to conduct a scheduled meteorological survey across the North Atlantic. During the flight, while positioned southeast of the Hebrides Islands, the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of control. The plane subsequently impacted the ocean approximately 24 km southeast of Barra Head.
Following the disappearance, search and rescue operations were launched to locate the missing vessel and its occupants. These efforts continued for several days before being officially terminated when no wreckage or survivors were located. On January 16, 1951, local fishermen discovered debris from the aircraft along with the remains of the pilot. All eight crew members are presumed deceased.
Findings
Investigators believe that an uncontrolled in-flight fire may have been the primary factor leading to the loss of control and the eventual crash into the sea.