1 fatality

Cargo Aircraft Crash During Initial Climb Due to Excess Weight (G-AISG)

Croydon, United KingdomTakeoff (climb)

On June 14, 1947, a Miles M.57 Aerovan (registration G-AISG) operated by North Sea Air Transport was involved in an aviation accident near Croydon, United Kingdom during takeoff. One person was killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft exceeded its maximum takeoff weight limit, which caused it to stall during the initial climb phase. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 1 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

A cargo plane crashed shortly after takeoff when it stalled during the initial climb phase. The incident resulted in one fatality and injuries to the other crew members, caused by exceeding maximum takeoff weight.

What happened

The accident occurred immediately following departure from the runway. While the aircraft was in the initial climb phase, it experienced a stall and subsequently impacted the ground. The flight was operating as a cargo mission transporting a load of 604 racing pigeons.

In the aftermath of the crash, the pilot and one passenger sustained injuries. Tragically, the captain did not survive the incident. The event resulted in one fatality and multiple injuries among those on board.

Findings

Investigations into the cause of the accident focused on the operational parameters at the time of departure. It was established that the total weight of the aircraft was greater than its certified maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 202 kilos. This excess weight directly compromised the aircraft's performance, leading to the stall shortly after rotation.

Probable cause

The aircraft exceeded its maximum takeoff weight limit, which caused it to stall during the initial climb phase.