Saro A.19 Cloud accident at Jersey, United Kingdom, 31 Jul 1936 (G-ABXW)
On July 31, 1936, a Saro A.19 Cloud (registration G-ABXW) operated by Jersey Airways was involved in an aviation accident near Jersey, United Kingdom in flight. 10 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: It was theorized that the flight in turbulent conditions may have caused a small quantity of fuel in the bottom of the tank to surge sufficiently to uncover the tank outlet temporarily, and thus cause one or both fuel pumps to become air-locked. 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.
Probable cause
It was theorized that the flight in turbulent conditions may have caused a small quantity of fuel in the bottom of the tank to surge sufficiently to uncover the tank outlet temporarily, and thus cause one or both fuel pumps to become air-locked. The aircraft’s undercarriage had been extended at the time of the ditching, suggesting that the pilot had tried to reach land after the failure of one or both power plants. Rescue efforts had been hampered by the heavy seas and the fact that G-ABXW was not equipped with radio equipment, which could have been used to establish its position. It was in fact noted in the report of the UK Accidents Investigation Branch that the dispatch of an aircraft without a radio violated established directives.
— NTSB Determination
Accident narrative
While cruising off Jersey at night, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and attempted to ditch the aircraft crashed into the sea. Debris were found few hours later some 28 km south of Jersey Island. All 10 occupants were killed. Crew: Cpt William Halmshaw, pilot, W. Sotinel, mechanic. Passengers: Ernest Appleby, Maud Bean, Margaret Davies, Alice Judd, Edwina 'Elsie' Marley, Florence Annie Simpson, Charles Viel, Claude Stewart Willis.
Probable cause (official findings): It was theorized that the flight in turbulent conditions may have caused a small quantity of fuel in the bottom of the tank to surge sufficiently to uncover the tank outlet temporarily, and thus cause one or both fuel pumps to become air-locked. The aircraft’s undercarriage had been extended at the time of the ditching, suggesting that the pilot had tried to reach land after the failure of one or both power plants. Rescue efforts had been hampered by the heavy seas and the fact that G-ABXW was not equipped with radio equipment, which could have been used to establish its position. It was in fact noted in the report of the UK Accidents Investigation Branch that the dispatch of an aircraft without a radio violated established directives.