On May 15, 1950, a Short S.25 Sandringham (registration LN-IAU) operated by Det Norske Luftfartselskap - DNL was involved in an aviation accident near Harstad, Norway during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft experienced an aerodynamic stall during its initial climb following takeoff. 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.
Aircraft registered LN-IAU. Photo: Unknown photographer / Norsk Teknisk Museum / CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A seaplane crashed into the sea near Harstad shortly after departing from Vagsfjorden, resulting in no fatalities among the occupants.
What happened
During a flight departing from the bay of Vagsfjorden, located off the coast of Harstad, an unidentified seaplane experienced a critical loss of lift during its initial climb. While ascending shortly after takeoff, the aircraft entered a stall and impacted the surface of the water.
Despite the impact, emergency response efforts were successful, and all 33 occupants on board were rescued from the scene without loss of life. The aircraft remained afloat for approximately one hour following the accident before it eventually sank beneath the waves.
Findings
The aircraft entered a stall during the climb phase of flight.
The crash occurred in the waters of Vagsfjorden near Harstad.
Probable cause
The aircraft experienced an aerodynamic stall during its initial climb following takeoff.
