Aer Lingus Flight 712

Aer Lingus Flight 712
An Aer Lingus Vickers Viscount, similar to the accident aircraft (1966)
Accident
Date24 March 1968
SummaryIn-flight structural failure of undetermined cause
SiteSt George's Channel,
near Wexford, Ireland
Aircraft
Aircraft typeVickers Viscount 803
OperatorAer Lingus
RegistrationEI-AOM
Flight originCork Airport
DestinationHeathrow Airport
Passengers57
Crew4
Fatalities61
Survivors0
Approximate location of crash site

Aer Lingus Flight 712 crashed en route from Cork to London on 24 March 1968, killing all 61 passengers and crew. The aircraft, a Vickers Viscount 803 named St. Phelim, crashed into the sea off Tuskar Rock, County Wexford. Although the investigation into the crash lasted two years, a cause was never determined. Causes proposed in several investigative reports include possible impact with birds, a missile or target drone, or mechanical and structural failures.