1961-05-29: Handley Page H.P.67 Hastings (WD497) — Royal Air Force - RAF — Singapore-Seletar, Singapore

13 fatalitiesSingapore-Seletar, SingaporeFlight

A training flight involving a supply dropping mission ended in a fatal crash near Singapore-Seletar Airport after an engine failure led to a loss of control.

What happened

During a local training mission focused on supply dropping procedures, an aircraft was operating in the area surrounding Singapore-Seletar Airport. While the flight was maintaining a low altitude during its cruise phase, the crew reported that the number two engine had failed. Following this mechanical failure, the pilot lost control of the aircraft. The plane entered a left bank and subsequently stalled, resulting in a crash into a field located a short distance from the airfield.

The impact of the crash resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft type (not specified in source) and caused the deaths of all 13 people on board. The occupants included five crew members and eight passengers.

Findings

Investigations into the accident determined that the primary factor was the loss of control following an engine failure during the flight.

Probable cause

The aircraft entered an unrecoverable stall and loss of control after the failure of the number two engine.