Shalcombe Flying Boat crash - Nov 1957

On 15th November 1957 a Solent class Flying-Boat operated by Aquila Airways on a flight from Southampton to Las Palmas and Madeira via Lisbon crashed into a chalk pit at Shalcombe Farm near Chessell, Isle of Wight.

Shortly after taking off from Southampton Water, the aircraft reported problems No. 4 engine and said they were returning.

Of the 58 passengers and crew aboard, 45 people died.

Memorial tree and stone in chalk pit

The memorial stone reads:

IN MEMORY OF THE
45 PASSENGERS
AND CREW WHO LOST
THEIR LIVES IN THIS
PLACE. VICTIMS OF
THE FLYING BOAT
CRASH OF 15.11.1957