Short S.25 Sunderland accident at Tobruk, Libya, 5 Nov 1943 (G-AGIB)
On November 5, 1943, a Short S.25 Sunderland (registration G-AGIB) operated by British Overseas Airways Corporation - BOAC was involved in an aviation accident near Tobruk, Libya in flight. 19 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: According to officials, a fire with very high intensity broke out on one of both right engines and quickly spread to the right wing that separated during the descent, causing the plane to crash. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 3 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
Probable cause
According to officials, a fire with very high intensity broke out on one of both right engines and quickly spread to the right wing that separated during the descent, causing the plane to crash.
— NTSB Determination
Accident narrative
While cruising over Libya by night and in good weather conditions, one the right engine caught fire. The crew reduced his altitude in an attempt to make an emergency landing in the desert but while descending, the aircraft went out of control and crashed in flames some 150 km southeast of Tobruk. All 19 occupants were killed.
Probable cause (official findings): According to officials, a fire with very high intensity broke out on one of both right engines and quickly spread to the right wing that separated during the descent, causing the plane to crash.