I was serving on HMS Ashanti and watched the aircraft with flames from an engine as it crashed. A sad memory and especially so the the people on the ground.
A sad day for Malta. I've visited this wonderful country three times and had not heard of this accident. Looking forward to returning as soon as possible. I love the islands and the people.
This is the main street in Zabbar Sanctuary St. my Nannas house is 50 yards just up the road but my uncles house was hit , my sister was on the roof hanging out the washing in the next town Fgura and saw the plane come down, she ran all the way to Zabbar to find my Nanna ok.
I was a 5 year old in Malta at the time. My dad was posted in the Royal Navy there from the UK. I saw this Vulcan explode in mid air from the school play ground at Vadalla, an old army fort that was used as a school for forces kids (long since redeveloped). There was a carrier off the coast too - name? The incident made a big impression on me. I recall seeing at least one parachute floating down from the plane. They may not have survived but sure I saw parachute(s). Anyway, a poignant reminder.
My Father took photos of this vulcan exploding in mid air over Zabbar and on the runway.The RAF investigation was done on my fathers photos and they interrogated him to tell them what he saw.He still have the photos
I saw this blow up in mid air. I was at school at Tal Handaq which was on the other side of the valley to Luqa airport, and these were a familar sight coming into land. I had seen it just before landing and then what made me turn round was the tremendous noise of it powering up and around, there was smoke billowing out of the back and perhaps 10-20 seconds later it exploded. Big pieces of debries falling and 2 pilots chutes coming down. On TV news when I got home from school, a very sad day.
Just been walking through Nettleham Village Lincs, 4 miles from Scampton and 7 miles from Waddington, three headstones relating to RAF members killed on this day . No details on stones regarding circumstances. I believe that there was always a great deal of ' disquiet ' from other aircrew ' specialists ' regarding the provision of ejection seats for pilots on the 'V ' Force but not for other crew.
I was just copying some of my dad's old film slides and found a picture of a Vulcan. I could just make out the number as XM-645. My husband used to guard Vulcans when he was in the RAF so I thought I would see if there was any information about this one. What a sad story I found. I think the slide was taken in 1971.
I was a Flight Systems Junior Technician on IX Squadron at RAF Waddington and XM645 was one of our aircraft. Along with a Crew Chief I was on the starter and see off crew for 645 that day at RAF Waddington. We did not find out about the crash until that evening because the squadron had to inform the families.
The two pilots ejected safely. Another three aircrew, along with two crew chiefs, were in the rear of the flight deck and they never got out. No ejection seats for them.
I saw the wing tip blow off as well I was on HMS Torquay...The vulcan headed out to sea & RAF launches roared out after it..The ones we saw bail out looked like they went through the fireball from the burning fuel....
I remember playing in the football grounds outside Cospicua primary school during the mid day break,when we saw the aeroplane burning then a wing broke off after an explosion and crew jumping out with parachutes
This Vulcan made a heavy low landing and it broke the Undercarriage leaving some parts of the undercarriage on the runway added full power and took off again as it was turning coming to land it blew up luckily only 7 died it was 6 crew and 1 civilian i saw it all thanks.
@joluqa Thanks for uploading this video I was too littile to remeber.I tought they where ony 4 casulties a woman(Civilian) and 3 crew members,someone told me that there was still the mark of the impact on the pianobars on Rwy24(now 23)
I was serving on HMS Ashanti and watched the aircraft with flames from an engine as it crashed. A sad memory and especially so the the people on the ground.
Sanemancured 2 weeks ago
A sad day for Malta. I've visited this wonderful country three times and had not heard of this accident. Looking forward to returning as soon as possible. I love the islands and the people.
noonsight2010 1 month ago
@noonsight2010 Thank you mate you are welcome anytime.
joluqa 1 month ago
@joluqa Grazi hafna.
noonsight2010 1 month ago
RIP
dayornight99 3 months ago
This is the main street in Zabbar Sanctuary St. my Nannas house is 50 yards just up the road but my uncles house was hit , my sister was on the roof hanging out the washing in the next town Fgura and saw the plane come down, she ran all the way to Zabbar to find my Nanna ok.
baileygina1 6 months ago
I was a 5 year old in Malta at the time. My dad was posted in the Royal Navy there from the UK. I saw this Vulcan explode in mid air from the school play ground at Vadalla, an old army fort that was used as a school for forces kids (long since redeveloped). There was a carrier off the coast too - name? The incident made a big impression on me. I recall seeing at least one parachute floating down from the plane. They may not have survived but sure I saw parachute(s). Anyway, a poignant reminder.
chris6770 8 months ago
My Father took photos of this vulcan exploding in mid air over Zabbar and on the runway.The RAF investigation was done on my fathers photos and they interrogated him to tell them what he saw.He still have the photos
elton723 8 months ago
@elton723 Is there any chance you can post them on Utube?it must have been very upsetting for everyone.
58Vulcan 2 months ago
I saw this blow up in mid air. I was at school at Tal Handaq which was on the other side of the valley to Luqa airport, and these were a familar sight coming into land. I had seen it just before landing and then what made me turn round was the tremendous noise of it powering up and around, there was smoke billowing out of the back and perhaps 10-20 seconds later it exploded. Big pieces of debries falling and 2 pilots chutes coming down. On TV news when I got home from school, a very sad day.
TKracer44 8 months ago
Just been walking through Nettleham Village Lincs, 4 miles from Scampton and 7 miles from Waddington, three headstones relating to RAF members killed on this day . No details on stones regarding circumstances. I believe that there was always a great deal of ' disquiet ' from other aircrew ' specialists ' regarding the provision of ejection seats for pilots on the 'V ' Force but not for other crew.
poachersln2 9 months ago
I was just copying some of my dad's old film slides and found a picture of a Vulcan. I could just make out the number as XM-645. My husband used to guard Vulcans when he was in the RAF so I thought I would see if there was any information about this one. What a sad story I found. I think the slide was taken in 1971.
bobbobsnake 10 months ago
I was a Flight Systems Junior Technician on IX Squadron at RAF Waddington and XM645 was one of our aircraft. Along with a Crew Chief I was on the starter and see off crew for 645 that day at RAF Waddington. We did not find out about the crash until that evening because the squadron had to inform the families.
The two pilots ejected safely. Another three aircrew, along with two crew chiefs, were in the rear of the flight deck and they never got out. No ejection seats for them.
RoseisleDave 10 months ago
I saw the wing tip blow off as well I was on HMS Torquay...The vulcan headed out to sea & RAF launches roared out after it..The ones we saw bail out looked like they went through the fireball from the burning fuel....
grogblossom1 1 year ago
I saw the wing tip blow off as well I was on HMS Torquay...The vulcan headed out to sea & RAF launches roared out after it
grogblossom1 1 year ago
What an amazing piece of film ,many thanks for sharing it .
MICKTHEMERC 1 year ago
Wow, very good video. The child's bed after 3:20 chills the blood. Neat choice of music for such a dramatic event. Well done and thanks for sharing.
bio2451 1 year ago
I remember playing in the football grounds outside Cospicua primary school during the mid day break,when we saw the aeroplane burning then a wing broke off after an explosion and crew jumping out with parachutes
kurtchircop 1 year ago
35 years ago...Airplane crash over Zabbar 14 th OCTOBER 1975 IN MALTA
ppace007 1 year ago
i remeber the crash, at that time i had 3yrs old
Mediterranian34 1 year ago
i remeber the crash, at that time i had 3yrs old
Mediterranian34 1 year ago
Amazing so few were Killed on the ground.
Wonkabar007 2 years ago
Pics and parts of the aircraft are in the museum near the church of Zabbar!!
rowair1997 2 years ago
@rowair1997 Even one or two of the Fire engines are still alive today, awaiting restoration at MHVT.
superhuan 1 year ago
This Vulcan made a heavy low landing and it broke the Undercarriage leaving some parts of the undercarriage on the runway added full power and took off again as it was turning coming to land it blew up luckily only 7 died it was 6 crew and 1 civilian i saw it all thanks.
joluqa 2 years ago
yeah my dad was telling me about it. He was in that area 2 minutes before it crashed! You saw it blow up and crash? :O
AdrianNtart 2 years ago
@joluqa Thanks for uploading this video I was too littile to remeber.I tought they where ony 4 casulties a woman(Civilian) and 3 crew members,someone told me that there was still the mark of the impact on the pianobars on Rwy24(now 23)
dennyecho 1 year ago
@joluqa Yes this is the one that crashed in the village of Zabbar,some of its parts are still in the church of the village.
joluqa 1 year ago
@joluqa it blew up because when it broke the undercarriage, it ruptured a fuel tank =, which ignited because of the heat from the jet engine.
IAmDBomb14 3 months ago
well,the aircraft exploaded in the sky and many parts of the plane landed in many parts of Zabbar!!Nice and thanks Jo!!
rowair1997 2 years ago
I never knew that.. It must have caused havoc on the ground ..
BasicModelling 2 years ago
WOW! i wish i lived during those days :(
Jo, it wud be great if you put some info on the crash in the side bar. I myself dont know much about this accident...
AdrianNtart 2 years ago