How long did the Jetliner fly before its first accident?

Short answer

Barely two flights. The prototype first took off on 10 August 1949, and on its second flight on 16 August the landing gear failed to extend, forcing a belly landing with relatively minor damage — it was flying again just three weeks later.

Published: November 4, 2026 · Updated: November 4, 2026 · Edited by Above Ten Thousand · Editorial policy

How long did the Jetliner fly before its first accident?

Avro Canada C102 Jetliner model

A jet airliner developed in a hurry

The programme's starting point was a requirement set out in April 1946: a twin-engined airliner capable of carrying at least 36 passengers over a range of 1,200 miles (1,900 km). The prototype made its first flight on 10 August 1949, barely 25 months after design work began. Several setbacks had delayed that first flight. The date came just 13 days after the first flight of the British de Havilland Comet, which beat it in the race to the air. That made the Jetliner the world's second jet airliner designed as such from the outset.

The incident on the second flight

On its second flight, on 16 August, the landing gear failed to extend, and the Jetliner had to make a belly landing. The damage was relatively minor, and the aircraft was flying again just three weeks later.