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Vickers Super VC10 1154, 5X-UVA, c/n 881
Photo: Steve Williams
East African Airways (1946-1977)
East African Airways Corporation was established after the second World War. The airline was a succsessor from the pioneering airline Wilson Airways.
The "new" airline served as the national airline of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania until economic and political problems grounded the airline on 1 February 1977, leading to that each country had to form its own airline.
1945-1959
Douglas C-47B Dakota 4, 5H-AAJ, c/n 15880-32628.
Photo:
In the early days, the airline operated DH 89A Dragon Rapide, DH104 Dove, Lockeed Lodestar, Douglas C-47B, Macchi MB320, Piper PA-20 Pacer, Consolidated Catalina 3, Airspeed Consul. In the end of 1950 before entering the jet age, EAA started to operate Canadair DC-4M on their routes.
1960-1977
DH106 Comet 4, 5Y-AAF, c/n 6433.
Photo:
The first jet aircraft in the fleet was the Comet 4, followed by the magnificent Vickers Super VC10, in its era well known for comfort and power. Later DC9s were added to the fleet. Fokker F27s were introduced on the shorthaul services from 1962.
McDonnell Douglas DC-9-32, 5H-MOI, c/n 47430.
Photo: Tony Edlind
From the services within the colonial Kenya, Uganda and Tanganyika the airline started to operate international flights in 1956, first to Central and South Africa, followed by flights to the United Kingdom in 1957 and India, Hongkong and New York. East African starded a route during the 1970s to Scandinavia, Copenhagen on Fridays, the flightnumbers was EC750/757.
Fleet 1960 - 1977
Five Vickers Super VC10-1154, three McDonnell Douglas DC-9-32, nine Douglas DC-3/C-47, four Fokker F-27-200, five DHC-6 Twin Otter, seven DH104 Comet 4 and one Boeing 707-323CF (delivered 1975 and leased to Simbair).
Epilogue
Of the remaining fleet (the Comets, Twin Otters and several of the DC-3s where already sold) at the collapse, the F27s and DC-9s were transferred to Kenya Airways. One DC-9 was leased to Air Tanzania during six months. The last delivery flight in EAA-coulors was by the Super VC10 5H-MOG, 3rd August, 1977, Nairobi - Filton (England). All Super VC10s (except 5X-UVA that was lost during take-off from Addis Ababa 1972) were converted to VC10 K3 tankers for the Royal Air Force.
Annex - The loss of Super VC10, 5X-UVA
Vickers Super VC10 1154, 5X-UVA, c/n 881
Photo: Steve Williams
It was 18th of April, 1972, when the flight, EC720 bound for Rome and London had made a scheduled stop-over at Addis Ababa to pick up passengers. The Super VC10, 5X-UVA was ready to depart from Bole Airport.
The four engines responded the full take-off power. Just before reaching V1 there was a loud bang followed by an increase in noise and vibration. The captain decided to abort the take-off at about 160kts, but the aircraft over-ran the runway and hit t he lower ground slightly with the starboard wing down and the fuselage broke up. The aircraft burst into flames.
Passengers left the aircraft from the starboard side. There were sixty-four survivors. Thirtyfour passengers and four cabin crew were killed in this tradgic accident most as a result of the fire. The Super VC10 was acknowledged as one of the safest aircraft in the world. The cause of the bang was soon found. A light aircraft jacking pad had punctured the nosegear tyre and the aircraft c ould not stop on the short runway due to that it had not the recommended normal I.C.A.O standard over-run lenght.
EAST AFRICAN AIRWAYS
HEAD OFFICE: SADLER HOUSE, P.O.Box 41010
NAIROBI
Credits:
Sources:
Own experiances, flightmagazines, EAA timetables and "East African An Airline Story " by P Davies
Links
Airlines of Africa
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Last updated 2006-09-13
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©Copyright 2002 by Tony Edlind
Sweden
