De Havilland DH.106 Comet crash, Apr 8, 1954 (21 killed)
De Havilland DH.106 Comet accident on April 8, 1954 near San Lucido Calabria, Italy with 21 fatalities. Cause: In-flight metal fatigue failure leading...
- Date: April 8, 1954
- Aircraft: De Havilland DH.106 Comet
- Location: San Lucido Calabria, Italy
- Fatalities: 21
- Phase of flight: En route
- Cause: In-flight metal fatigue failure leading to explosive decompression and in-flight breakup.
The South African Airways Comet, operated for BOAC with a SAA crew, vanished from radar at 20:04 local time while cruising at about 35,000 feet. It crashed into the Tyrrhenian Sea about 17 km off San Lucido, and all 21 occupants were killed. No survivors were found and no wreckage was recovered.