Air Taxis

De Havilland DH.80 Puss Moth

On the day of the fatal crash, Air Taxis Ltd had not authorized the flight, although in the past they had allowed Tonge to use the Puss Moth for his own pleasure at weekends if it wasn't required for business. The passenger, Scrase, was apparently only slightly acquainted with the pilot - which didn't stop them drinking in a pub together through the afternoon. At 16.30 the pair arrived at the hangar and Scrase was installed in the plane - Tonge then asked the mechanic if he could tell him the compass course to Brighton. They took off, but G-ADLP landed a few minutes later at Kenley where the pilot sought out a friend and, together with his passenger, they retired to a pub for over an hour. It was reported that Tonge sank two pints in that time, and Scrase three. At 17.55 hours the pilot and passenger returned to the machine and took off to continue their journey to Brighton, but before leaving the vicinity of Kenley, the pilot made several steep dives at the aerodrome buildings. The Puss Moth then departed at a height of 1500 feet. About ten minutes later the aeroplane was seen flying over Ashdown Forest at around 600 feet - it descended and circled around an open space at Wych Cross, then headed south. After two miles G-ADLP was then seen to circle a football field twice, and head south again at 500 feet. A minute later the aircraft descended towards a field which, however, was obstructed by power cables - at a height of 30 feet, the engine was 'opened up' and the Puss Moth climbed away steeply to 1000 feet. It then appeared to commence a turn whilst still climbing, and it immediately fell into a spin which continued until the aircraft plunged into some trees. The first person to reach the scene found the pilot dead with extensive head injuries. The passenger was laid over the pilot's shoulder and, in a semi conscious condition, he uttered; "1,500 feet. 1,000 feet, we're falling: Can't you do something man! 500 feet Oh God!". There was a very pronounced smell of alcohol in the cabin, and particularly from the passenger's breath. Source: http://sussexhistoryforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=892.0;wap2

De Havilland DH.80 Puss Moth

The pilot was performing a cargo flight from Manchester to Ronaldsway, Isle of Man, with a load of newspapers on board. After takeoff from Manchester-Barton Airport, he was forced to attempt an emergency landing for unknown reason. Aircraft came to rest in a field in Crawthorne, near Bolton. While the single engine aircraft was damaged beyond repair, the pilot was unhurt.

Airspeed AS.5 Courier

Crashed in unknown circumstances near Grenoble. The pilot Mr. Crundall was uninjured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

De Havilland DH.9

En route from Paris-Le Bourget to Hendon, the pilot encountered poor visibility due to foggy conditions. He attempted an emergency landing on a racecourse located in Tattenham Corner, near Epsom. After landing, the airplane went out of control, ran down a slight incline and eventually collided with the railings in front of the grand stand. All three occupants evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.