Exhibition 50 Years After Vulcan Bomber Accident In Żabbar

In a video shared on social media, European Services Chief Executive Rodrick Zerafa visited an exhibition marking the 50th anniversary of the 1975 Żabbar Avro Vulcan crash.

The display at the Żabbar Sanctuary Museum features relics from the accident and detailed information about the tragic events of 14 October 1975.

On that day, an Avro Vulcan B.2 bomber, XM645, crashed in a residential area after an aborted landing at RAF Luqa. The crash killed five crew members and one civilian, while the two pilots managed to eject and survive.

The bomber, which had been flying from RAF Waddington in England, suffered a hard landing that sheared off its undercarriage.

A fire broke out in the starboard wing, and the aircraft exploded before it could return to the airport. Debris hit houses, shops, a school, and vehicles, causing extensive damage.

The subsequent investigation attributed the crash to pilot error, noting that the co-pilot was not properly briefed for the challenging short and sloping runway. Despite the devastation, the human toll could have been far greater.

During his visit, Zerafa explored the exhibition’s artefacts and information panels, reflecting on the tragic event and its place in Malta’s aviation history, while paying tribute to those affected by the accident.

#MaltaDaily