No fatalities

Takeoff Roll Accident Involving Port of Marseilles (G-AHZJ)

Bergamo, ItalyTakeoff (climb)

On July 31, 1947, a Handley Page H.P.70 Halifax VIII (registration G-AHZJ) operated by London Aero & Motor Services - LAMS was involved in an aviation accident near Bergamo, Italy during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: A tire burst during the takeoff roll rendered the aircraft uncontrollable. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 4 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

An aircraft named Port of Marseilles veered off the runway during takeoff due to a tire burst. The crew remained uninjured, but the airframe was destroyed.

What happened

During the initial phase of the takeoff roll, the aircraft lost directional control and deviated from the paved surface. The vehicle came to a stop after leaving the runway environment. All five members of the flight crew sustained no injuries in the incident. However, the airframe, which bore the name Port of Marseilles, suffered structural damage that rendered it beyond economic repair.

Findings

The official investigation determined that the loss of control was triggered by a mechanical failure involving the landing gear. Specifically, a tyre burst occurred while the aircraft was accelerating on the runway. This sudden pressure release made the aircraft uncontrollable for the crew, leading to the deviation from the centerline and subsequent off-runway excursion.

Probable cause

A tire burst during the takeoff roll rendered the aircraft uncontrollable.