Short S.25 Sunderland accident at Singapore-Seletar, Singapore, 27 Mar 1946 (PP103)
On March 27, 1946, a Short S.25 Sunderland (registration PP103) operated by Royal Air Force - RAF was involved in an aviation accident near Singapore-Seletar, Singapore during takeoff. 13 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Poor coordination by the crew led the flight engineer to inadvertently reduce power on both left engines during the initial climb, causing the aircraft to stall and crash. 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
Poor coordination by the crew led the flight engineer to inadvertently reduce power on both left engines during the initial climb, causing the aircraft to stall and crash.
— NTSB Determination
Accident narrative
Shortly after a night takeoff from Singapore-Seletar Airport, while climbing to a height of some 200 feet, both left engines lost power. Heavily loaded and at low speed, the airplane stalled and crashed into the Seletar River. Thirteen occupants were killed while eight others were injured. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause (official findings): Poor coordination by the crew led the flight engineer to inadvertently reduce power on both left engines during the initial climb, causing the aircraft to stall and crash.