G-AGRE "Star Ariel"
An Avro Tudor Mk.IVB Super Trader similar to the aircraft that disappeared
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| Accident summary | |
|---|---|
| Date | 17 January 1949 |
| Summary | Disappearance |
| Site | Atlantic Ocean |
| Passengers | 13 |
| Crew | 7 |
| Fatalities | 20 |
| Injuries (non-fatal) | 0 |
| Survivors | 0 |
| Aircraft type | Avro 688 Tudor Mark IV |
| Aircraft name | Star Ariel |
| Operator | British South American Airways (BSAA) |
| Registration | G-AGRE |
| Flight origin | Bermuda |
| Destination | Kingston, Jamaica |
 A picture of Star Ariel
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Star Ariel (registration G-AGRE) was an Avro Tudor Mark IVB passenger aircraft owned and operated by British South American Airways (BSAA) which disappeared without a trace over the Atlantic Ocean while on a flight between Bermuda and Kingston, Jamaica on 17 January 1949. The loss of the aircraft along with that of BSAA Avro Tudor Star Tiger in January 1948 remain unsolved to this day, with the resulting speculation helping to develop the Bermuda Triangle legend.
British South American Airways (BSAA) was an airline created by former World War II pilots in an effort to provide service on the previously untapped South American trade and passenger routes. Originally named British Latin American Air Lines (BLAIR) it was split off from the British Overseas Airways Corporation to operate their South Atlantic routes. It commenced transatlantic services in March 1946, with a BSAA plane making the first operational flight from London's Heathrow Airport. The airline operated mostly Avro aircraft: Yorks, Lancastrians and Tudors, and flew to Bermuda, the West Indies and the western coast of South America.
The Star Ariel was one of three enlarged and improved versions of the Avro Tudor, designated Mark IVs. On 17 January 1949 the Star Ariel was awaiting flight instructions at Kindley Field, Bermuda, with no passengers. BSAA Tudor G-AHNK Star Lion meanwhile suffered an engine failure on approach to Bermuda, landing without incident. Star Ariel was promptly pressed into service to take G-AHNK's passengers on to their destination of Kingston, Jamaica.
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