
Posted by Frederick Galea on Facebook on 12/05/2023
On 16 February 1932, Dornier Do J Wal Jupiter VIII – 112 R Cabina Piaggio force-landed owing to engine trouble at a point 30 miles SW of Delimara at 08:50 hours local time. A 202 Squadron floatplane was dispatched to locate the aircraft with assistance of DF bearing from Hal-Far, and stood by until the arrival of HMS Brilliant, which took on the passengers and crew (nine occupants) and eventually landed them at Kalafrana at 19:30 hours, the same day – the flying boat having capsized during towing.
On the 17th, two 202 Squadron aircraft located the aircraft and again this was towed by a destroyer, arriving at base at noon. What remained of the aircraft was lifted out of the water on the 18th.
It is not clear how the wreckage ended up at Gnejna bay, where, over the years, it has settled well into the sandy sea bottom – what survives to this day is mostly below the sand surface. The wreck lies in shallow water.









NOTE: Today, in place is Maltese legislation protecting underwater cultural heritage.