List of accidents and incidents involving the Vickers Viscount


As World War II came to a close the British government realised that it was going to have to drastically change its air manufacturing industry to avoid becoming dependent on American aircraft companies. To address this issue the Brabazon Committee was formed in 1943 to investigate the future needs of the British Empire's civilian airliner market.
As a direct result of the specifications spelled out by the Brabazon Committee the Vickers Viscount was created: this was a medium-range turboprop airliner first flown in 1948 by Vickers-Armstrongs, making it the first such aircraft to enter service in the world. It would go on to be one of the most successful of the first-generation postwar transports, with 445 being built.
Of that relatively large number of 445 aircraft there have been over 150 accidents and incidents, including 144 hull losses. An accident or incident can involve anything from slight damage to total write-off and crash with all people on board killed.
The first incident was on 27 August 1952 when G-AHRF, operated by the UK Ministry of Supply crashed at the Khartoum International Airport. Eventually, with many newer aircraft designs available, the Viscount was phased out of operations by industrial nations but one remains airworthy in the developing world, and another remains flyable in the United States.
In April 2003, 9Q-CGL of Trans Intair was damaged on landing at a gravel strip in the Congo. The pilots attempted to take off with damaged engines but as the aircraft was gaining altitude a second engine failed and the aircraft crashed into some trees becoming a total write-off.

1950s

1960s

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

  • On 24 July 2001, 3D-OHM of Transtel was damaged beyond economic repair in a take-off accident at N'Djamena International Airport when the aircraft departed the runway, damaging the engines and propellers. Although written off by the insurers, the aircraft was repaired. Repairs were almost complete when a soldier accidentally discharged his firearm, puncturing a fuel tank.
  • In April 2003, 9Q-CGL of Trans Intair was damaged on landing at a gravel strip in the Congo. A takeoff with only three engines operable was attempted but a second engine failed and the aircraft crashed into some trees. The aircraft was damaged beyond economic repair.