John David COLLIER

John David COLLIER, Corporal 4070082, Royal Air Force, aged 23 years. On Saturday, 18th February 1956, a four engined Avro York trooper aircraft, G-ANSY, belonging to Scottish Airlines crashed near Zurrieq. It had been chartered by the Royal Air Force and was being used to carry troops from Suez in Egypt, to the U.K., with a stop-over in Malta. Born on the 15th October 1932. Son of Archibald G and Annie, nee Stagg. Lived at Llwnypia, Rhondda, South Wales.Wills and Admin, Ancestry. His home address was 73 Tyntyla Road, Llwynypia, Rhondda, Glamorganshire. Died on date stated at Malta. His effects went to Annie Noble wife of Charles Oliver Noble.
He was due to be demobilised in April

At rest in Plot 3. Row 3. Grave 10. Imtarfa Military Cemetery, Malta.

As the plane took off, the air traffic controllers at Luqa airport saw smoke coming from one of the engines, and informed the pilot, Captain Frank Coker, immediately. The plane appeared to climb to around 1,000 feet before going into a dive and crashing into the ground.

As it was loaded with around 2,000 gallons of high octane aviation fuel, the plane exploded on impact and was engulfed by flames. The men on board numbered a crew of five, with 45 passengers, all RAF personnel except one Army Private. When the rescue services arrived at the scene it was clear that there were no survivors. The bodies of the co-pilot, navigator, radio officer and an air hostess were taken to the U.K. for burial. All the others are here in Imtarfa Military Cemetery, Malta