Wellington Crash in Rabat

Date: April 5, 1946 • Location: Rabat, Malta

A Fleet Air Arm Vickers Wellington crashes into a residential area in Rabat, Malta during a training exercise, killing all four crew members and 16 civilians on the ground.

The Fleet Air Arm (FAA) is the naval aviation component of the United Kingdom's Royal Navy (RN). The FAA is one of five RN fighting arms. The contemporary Fleet Air Arm provides the Royal Navy's principal aviation capabilities, operating fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft in support of naval operations. Its carrier aviation includes the F-35B Lightning II, providing fifth-generation carrier strike and air combat capability from the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers. Maritime aviation is centred on the Merlin HM2, providing anti-submarine warfare and airborne surveillance and control, and the Wildcat HMA2, providing maritime reconnaissance, surveillance and attack capability from Royal Navy and allied ships. The Commando Helicopter Force operates Merlin HC4/4A and Wildcat AH1 helicopters in support of the United Kingdom Commando Force, providing tactical mobility, reconnaissance and fire support for amphibious and littoral operations. Fleet Air Arm aircraft also undertake maritime security, search and rescue, humanitarian assistance and other operations in support of the Royal Navy and wider UK defence commitments.