The 1947 BOAC Douglas C-47 Crash occurred on 11 January 1947 when Douglas C-47A G-AGJX of British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) crashed into a hill at Stowting, Kent, in southeast England, killing five people outright, with a further three dying from injuries received.
The aircraft had been operating a scheduled international flight to West Africa via France.
After attempts to land at a number of French airports, the pilot decided to return to the United Kingdom as he was running short of fuel.
[2] The aircraft was operating a scheduled international flight from London Heathrow to West Africa,[4] with a stopover at Bordeaux.
[7] In evidence given to the enquiry, this was corroborated by the crew of British European Airways Dakota G-AGZX, which confirmed that the Toulouse weather was asked for.
[2] The listed alternates for Bordeaux were Toulouse and Marignane,[9] although the aircraft was not carrying airfield information for either.
At 13:13, a message was sent by radio to Air Traffic Control (ATC) at Gloucester that the aircraft was returning to London.
Gloucester were not informed of the change in plan until 14:06 when a message was sent that the aircraft was diverting to Le Bourget as the fuel reserve was inadequate to reach London.
At 14:14, Gloucester contacted ATC at Uxbridge and reported that the aircraft was diverting to Le Bourget short of fuel, and requested that the message was passed on to Orly Airport.
[10] The Dragon Rapide was G-AGWC, which was on a flight from Basle Airport, Switzerland and was also short of fuel.
[2] On entering the cockpit, a steward was told that the aircraft may divert to RAF Manston, which was equipped with FIDO.
It was not until 15:45 that Manston was able to locate the aircraft's position, which was then 9 miles (14 km) south east of Cap Gris Nez.
This was caused by the trailing aerial hitting the ground and breaking off some 2 miles (3.2 km) before the aircraft crashed.
[2] The SOS had been received by both Manston and Uxbridge and lifeboats from Deal, Dungeness and Ramsgate were called out.
[2] While attempting to land at Lympne,[11] at 16:06, the aircraft crashed into Barley Hill, Hammond's Farm, Stowting, Kent.
The aircraft struck the ground at a shallow angle and then bounced for 50 yards (46 m) before crashing into trees.
The starboard side of the fuselage was also torn open when the aircraft swung violently to port.
[5] Another of the injured crew was transferred to the Joyce Green Hospital, Dartford, where he died on 14 January.
The investigation was chaired by Lord Nathan, who stated that he was considering whether or not a public enquiry should be held into the accident.
[6] The inquiry was closed on 27 January, concluding that mechanical failure was not the cause of the accident.
[3] On 29 January, Edward Smith MP asked in Parliament why the inquiry was taking place when not all the survivors were fit enough to give evidence.
In a written answer, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Civil Aviation George Lindgren replied that statements had been taken from nearly all survivors and that it was felt to be in the public interest to proceed without delay.
[10] It was established that there was nothing mechanically wrong with the aircraft at the time it crashed, although the engines were operating at idle power.