26 April 2024
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Viscount Survivors


59 of the 444 Viscounts built survive as complete airframes or major components. Some are in very good condition and are looked after by museums while others are just wrecks. They can be found in 24 countries.

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Established 2005
Vickers Viscount Network
A Virtual Museum dedicated to the Vickers-Armstrongs VC2 Viscount
   

Viscount c/n 422

Operational Record

Photo of Viscount c/n 422
Aer Lingus - Irish International Airlines


Ireland flag Ireland

This V.808 series Viscount was built for
Aer Lingus - Irish International Airlines as EI-AKK

It first flew on Monday, 19 January 1959 at Weybridge, Surrey, England powered by Rolls-Royce Dart 510 engines.


Photo of Viscount c/n 422
Aer Lingus - Irish International Airlines


Ireland flag Ireland

Its final owner/operator was
Aer Lingus - Irish International Airlines as EI-AKK.

Its fate:-
Crashed on approach to Lulsgate Airport, Bristol, England in poor weather 21 September 1967. Weather deteriorated as the aircraft approached after a scheduled flight from Collinstown Airport, Dublin, Ireland. The Viscount was misaligned with the runway, which the pilot tried to correct at flare-out level. The starboard wing tip and the No. 4 (starboard outer) propeller struck the runway during this manoeuver. An overshoot was attempted, but the pilot saw obstructions coming up ahead, which he considered he wouldn't be able to clear resulting in the aircraft being put onto the ground with the wheels up. It finally came to rest beyond the runway and against a fence with the fuselage cracked open behind the wing and severe damage to the starboard wing.


Operational record
Photo of Aer Lingus - Irish International Airlines Viscount EI-AKK

Country of Registration Ireland

January 1959 to September 1967

Aer Lingus - Irish International Airlines

EI-AKK - c/n 422 - a V.808 series Viscount
Ireland registered

2 March 1956
Aer Lingus placed an order for six Type 808 aircraft.

19 January 1959
First flight from Brooklands Airfield, Weybridge, Surrey, England.

It landed at Wisley Airfield, Surrey, England for fitting out and test flying.

15 December 1959
Noted at Blackbushe Airport, Hampshire, England.

31 January 1959
Departed from Wisley Airfield, Surrey, England on delivery to Aer Lingus named as 'St Aidan' / 'St Aodhan'.

It was fitted with Rolls-Royce Dart RDa6 Mark 510 engines, 70 seat configration and a fuel capacity of 1,940 imperial gallons.

18 February 1959
Noted at Gatwick Airport, Surrey, England due to a London Airport (Heathrow) weather diversion.

7 November 1959
Noted at Gatwick Airport, Surrey, England due to a London Airport (Heathrow) weather diversion.

12 November 1959
Noted at Gatwick Airport, Surrey, England due to a London Airport (Heathrow) weather diversion.

24 September 1960
Noted at Gatwick Airport, Surrey, England due to a London Airport (Heathrow) weather diversion.

Painted in the Aer Lingus 'Green Cheat Line' livery.
Aer Lingus
'Green Cheat Line' livery

circa 1964
Painted in the Aer Lingus 'Green Cheat Line' livery.

21 July 1966
Noted at Gatwick Airport, Surrey, England due to a Heathrow Airport weather diversion.

July 1967
Converted to Type 808C cargo configuration by Scottish Aviation Ltd (SAL) at Prestwick Airport, Ayrshire, Scotland.

21 September 1967
Crashed on approach to Lulsgate Airport, Bristol, England in poor weather.

Crashed on approach to Lulsgate, Bristol, England in poor weather.
Crashed on approach to
Lulsgate, Bristol, England

The weather deteriorated as the aircraft approached Lulsgate Airport, Bristol, England after a scheduled flight from Collinstown Airport, Dublin, Ireland. The Viscount was misaligned with the runway, which the pilot tried to correct at flare-out level. The starboard wing tip and the No. 4 (starboard outer) propeller struck the runway during this manoeuver. An overshoot was attempted, but the pilot saw obstructions coming up ahead, which he considered he wouldn't be able to clear resulting in the aircraft being put onto the ground with the wheels up. It finally came to rest beyond the runway and against a fence with the fuselage cracked open behind the wing and severe damage to the starboard wing.

All 17 passengers and 4 crew survived the crash.

PROBABLE CAUSE: An attempt to align the aircraft with the runway at too low a height following the commander's incorrect decision to continue the approach when visual guidance became obscured below critical height.

Broken up for scrap after removal of all useful parts.

FURTHER READING: Books about Aer Lingus



Photo of BEA - British European Airways Viscount G-AOJC

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This website has been designed, built and is maintained by Geoff Blampied, Norwich, Norfolk, England.