Lockheed L-414 Hudson accident at Khartoum, Sudan, 16 Jun 1943 (FK459)
On June 16, 1943, a Lockheed L-414 Hudson (registration FK459) operated by Royal Air Force - RAF was involved in an aviation accident near Khartoum, Sudan during landing or approach. 17 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Fuel starvation, probably caused by a partial air lock due to surging of petrol in near empty tanks, was thought to have caused the port engine to cut during the last turn to the left. 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.
Probable cause
Fuel starvation, probably caused by a partial air lock due to surging of petrol in near empty tanks, was thought to have caused the port engine to cut during the last turn to the left.
— NTSB Determination
Accident narrative
On final approach to Khartoum Airport, at a height of about 800 feet, the crew completed a last turn to the left to join the glide when the airplane rolled to the left, stalled and crashed, bursting into flames. A passenger was seriously injured while all 16 other occupants were killed. The following day, the only survivor died from injuries sustained. Crew: P/O George Edward Harris, pilot, Sgt James Lissett, copilot, Sgt Brian James Cox, wireless operator and air gunner. Passengers: Sgt Douglas Elliott Guy Brown, F/Sgt John Creighton, W/O Neil Francis Gray, F/Sgt Grochowski, Sgt James Sidney Harris, F/Sgt Albert Partington, F/Sgt Samuel Leonard Pointon, W/O Charles Matthew Raven, S/L George Michael Roddy, Sgt Ronald William Smith, F/Sgt Stankowiak, Francis Charles Tanner, F/Sgt Tetnowsky, W/O Tonczak.
Probable cause (official findings): Fuel starvation, probably caused by a partial air lock due to surging of petrol in near empty tanks, was thought to have caused the port engine to cut during the last turn to the left.