Status:	Final
Date:	13 APR 1950
Type:	Vickers 610 Viking 1B
Operator:	British European Airways - BEA
Registration:	G-AIVL
C/n / msn:	225
First flight:	1947
Crew:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 4
Passengers:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 28
Total:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 32
Airplane damage:	Substantial
Airplane fate:	Repaired
Location:	48 km (30 mls) S of Hastings (United Kingdom)
Phase:	En route (ENR)
Nature:	International Scheduled Passenger
Departure airport:	London-Northolt Airport (NHT), United Kingdom
Destination airport:	Paris (unknown airport), France

Narrative:
En route over the Channel, a explosion occurred in the rear of the plane, seriously injuring the flight attendant. The explosion caused an 8 feet high and 4 feet wide hole in the fuselage. Without rudder and most elevator control the captain, presuming a lightning strike, returned to Northolt where he made a safe landing. A French passenger was suspected of making a suicide attempt. The airplane, named "Vigilant" was repaired and entered service again on October 4, 1950.

PROBABLE CAUSE: "The damage to the aircraft was a result of an explosion of an infernal machine in the toilet compartment. The probable location of this destructive agent was in the used paper towel receptacle."

Sources:
» ICAO Circular 18-AN/15 (51-52)