Private British

De Havilland DH.60 Moth

The pilot was carrying out a local flight with a friend. The weather was good (CAVOK), with a westerly wind of about 12 to 15 kt. The passenger occupied the front cockpit and the pilot the rear. The engine started normally and the aircraft departed, climbing to an altitude of 1,200 ft. The pilot carried out two medium banked turns and a gentle wingover manoeuvre before entering another steep turn to the left. When established in the turn, the engine stopped and the aircraft entered a spin to the left. The pilot recovered from the spin but, due to the limited height available, could only pull out of the dive and carry out a forced landing in an isolated grass area, amongst trees and other obstacles. In doing so, the aircraft struck a ridge and furrow, which destroyed the landing gear and much of the forward fuselage. A member of the public witnessed the accident and called the emergency services, who recovered both occupants from the wreckage. The pilot and his passenger had suffered serious injuries and were transferred to hospital. There was no fire.The aircraft had recently been re-weighed. During that process, the fuel tank had been drained and the same fuel was then used to refill the tank. After that, the aircraft had flown some five hours, during which it had been refuelled twice at a licensed aerodrome. The second refuel had taken place prior to positioning the aircraft back to the private site from which the accident flight departed. It was reported that the engine had been consistently reliable. No reason for the engine failure was identified. The pilot considered that he had avoided a serious head injury because he was wearing a protective helmet. Also, he commented that he had since had discussions with others in the historic aircraft community regarding energy absorbing foam in seat pans and its potential for reducing the level of back injuries in the event of an accident.

Piper PA-31-310 Navajo

The pilot was landing at a private strip at Wentworth. The runway was oriented 110/290° and had several level changes along its length which required all landings to be made in the 110° direction and all takeoffs in the 290° direction. Touchdown was required to take place on a level portion before the ground rose relatively steeply and levelled out again. The final part of the runway sloped gently down towards the end, which was bordered by a dry stone wall. The surface, from police photographs taken soon after the accident, showed it to be closely mown grass and firm, despite the indications of recent rain. The wind at the time was 220°/10 kt and the pilot reported that the approach was made directly into the setting sun, making it difficult to monitor the airspeed indicator. Touchdown was achieved on the first level portion of the runway and the brakes were applied very soon afterwards; however the pilot stated that there was no discernible braking action, despite applying firmer pressure on the brake pedals. Seeing that the stone wall at the end of the runway was approaching, he steered the aircraft to the right and towards a hedge, however he was unable to prevent the left wing striking the walland causing severe damage outboard of the engine. The pilot was uninjured and evacuated the aircraft normally. The police photographs indicate that the mainwheels were skidding on the wet grass almost throughout the landing roll of about 630 metres. Whilst the pilot acknowledged that his airspeed might have been somewhat high, he did not feel at the time of touchdown that his ground speed was unusual and he attributes the lack of braking action to the slippery runway surface.

Cessna 303 Crusader

The aircraft was completing a day VFR flight from Durham Tees Valley Airport to Denham Airfield. As the pilot turned on to the final approach for Runway 06, the right engine ran down. The pilot attempted to increase power on the left engine but it did not appear to respond. The airspeed decayed and the right wing dropped. The aircraft descended into a wooded area short of the runway, seriously injuring all those on board. The investigation identified that fuel starvation of both engines was the cause of the accident.

Cessna 303 Crusader

The aircraft had departed Exeter on a flight to Guernsey when, during the climb to FL35, a slight smell of fumed was noticed in the cockpit. By the time the aircraft had passed SKERRY, by some four to five nm, smoke was seen coming from under the right hand instrument panel. The pilot asked the passenger to investigate the source, but he reported that he could see no burning. The pilot then informed Jersey control of their situation and advised that he was returning direct to Start Point, the nearest land on the coast. After changing to Exeter Radar, the pilot initiated a descent in case an immediate ditching should prove necessary, and briefed his passenger to don a life-jacket. He also directed the passenger to sit at the rear of the cabin, adjacent to the door, so that he would be ready to deploy the life-raft through the upper half of the door if they had to ditch. As the density of the smoke and fumes increased, the pilot elected to carry out a controlled ditching, fearing that if he tried to reach the coast he would be overcome by the fumes. However, he stated that he was reluctant to open the cabin air vents in case this escalated any hidden fire, and he did not turn off the master switch since he required the radios to maintain contact with Exeter Radar. The pilot transmitted a Mayday call, giving a full position report, and at 200 feet amsl he shut down both engines and feathered the propellers. He estimated the sea-well was between eight and ten feet but, since a strong wind was blowing (20 knots), he decided to land into-wind. The aircraft contacted the water at approximately 70 knots, plunging into a swell which generated an impact which the pilot later described as 'tremendous'.The aircraft, however, floated for some one and a half minutes before sinking, enabling both occupants to safely escape from the rear door. The pilot reported that, once in the water, it took them an estimated 20 minutes to get the life-raft inflated, but their life-jackets provided adequate support during this period. Although the pilot advised that flares and a handheld radio were being carried on board the aircraft, these were lost during the ditching. After approximately 45 minutes, an SAR helicopter from RAF Chivenor arrived on scene, recovered both survivors, and took them to hospital in Exeter. The pilot, who was wearing a lap and diagonal restraint, and the passenger, who was wearing only a lap strap, were largely uninjured.

De Havilland DH.60 Moth

The aircraft was on a flight from Liss to Popham and was being accompanied by a PA 18 which was in contact with Farnborough Radar. Overhead East Stratton, the Gypsy Moth experienced a loss of power and the pilot elected to carry out a precautionary landing. The landing was satisfactory. The pilot had shut down the engine and climbed out of the cockpit before he became aware of burning straw under the tail. Attempts to remove the straw and extinguish the fire were unsuccessful, and the aircraft was rapidly engulfed in flames. The fuel tank exploded, resulting in a substantial fire and some damage to trees and bushes surrounding the field.

Cessna 340

Following an uneventful flight from Jersey, with an intermediate landing at Exeter, the aircraft made a left circuit at Somerford onto a 1 mile final approach to runway 36. Somerford is an 800 metre by 21 metre grass runway, bounded by a belt of 50-60 feet high trees at the southern end of the runway with a field of soft ground on the west side. The wind was 330°/13 kts and the temperature was 12°C. As the aircraft crossed the trees, at normal approach speed and rate of descent, the pilot reduced power for the landing and the aircraft suddenly dropped to the ground at the runway threshold. The left main gear separated at impact and when the wingtip struck, the aircraft swung to the left into the soft ground, causing the right gear to collapse. All the occupants' diagonal upper torso restraints held on impact and the crew and passengers left the aircraft via the normal exits.

Partenavia P.68

En route from Shoreham to Southend, the pilot was forced to attempt an emergency landing for unknown reasons. The twin engine airplane crash landed in Orsett, Essex. All four occupants were rescued while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Airspeed AS.10 Oxford

Shortly after its takeoff from Bordeaux-Léognan-Saucats Aerodrome, the twin engine aircraft stalled and crashed in a field. All three occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was written off. The airplane was owned by Thomas Hutton Marshall.

De Havilland DH.90 Dragonfly

Shortly after takeoff from Birmingham Airport, while climbing, the airplane stalled and crashed in a field located in Elmdon. There were no injuries but the aircraft was written off.

Airspeed AS.65 Consul

Following an uneventful local flight, the twin engine aircraft crash landed at Elstree Airport. Both occupants were unhurt but the airplane was considered as damaged beyond repair. It was owned by Patrick Lowlor.

De Havilland DH.86 Express

Owned by V. H. Bellamy, the four engine aircraft crash landed at Barajas Airport for unknown reason. There were no casualties.

De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide

Shortly after takeoff from Croydon Airport, while in initial climb, the right engine failed. The pilot lost control of the airplane that stalled and crashed in flames against the wall of a church located in the center of the city of Wallington. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and the sole occupant was killed. The aircraft was piloted and owned by Rodney Reuben Carne.

De Havilland DH.104 Dove

The aircraft, owned by Prince Ali Salman Aga Khan (awa Aly Khan), has just performed a low pass at Croydon Airport, taking part to an airshow. While flying to the southwest, the airplane was seen at low height with its starboard engine stopped. The airplane lost height, hit trees and crashed in a garden located in Banstead, about five miles from Croydon airfield. All three occupants were killed. Crew: Cpt Lawrence Benjamin, pilot (personal pilot of Aly Khan), Cpt Frederick Bosworth. Passenger: Mrs. Barker.

Avro 652 Anson

Shortly after takeoff from Croydon Airport, while in initial climb, the aircraft suffered an engine failure, stalled and crashed onto a hangar. The pilot was rescued and unhurt and luckily, no one was injured in the hangar. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

De Havilland DH.80 Puss Moth

On landing, the aircraft overturned and came to rest upside down. The pilot, sole on board, was unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Airspeed AS.65 Consul

The pilot was forced to make an emergency landing for unknown reason. There were no casualties but the aircraft owned by D. L. Steiner was damaged beyond repair.

Simmonds Spartan

Crashed into the sea off Southend. Crew fate unknown. The single engine aircraft was owned by Frank S. Davies and Sydney A. Kent.

Percival P.10 Vega Gull

En route, the pilot made a sharp turn to avoid a mountain. The rudder suffered a structural failure and lost some parts. Aircraft went out of control and crashed in flames. All three occupants were killed.

De Havilland DH.90 Dragonfly

The aircraft was owned by Sir William Firth but this day piloted by Ken Firth and Jimmy Gunn. On approach to Shoreham Aerodrome, the aircraft was too low and hit power cables. It stalled and crashed in a field near Beeding. Both crew were able to leave the wreckage and were unhurt. The aircraft was destroyed.

De Havilland DH.60 Moth

Crashed in unknown circumstances, killing both occupants. Crew: Arthur Thomas Blomvill Campling, pilot. Passenger: Peter Avison Scott.

De Havilland DH.80 Puss Moth

En route, the pilot was forced to reduce his altitude and to attempt an emergency landing for unknown reason. The single engine aircraft hit a tree and crashed. Both occupants were seriously injured and the aircraft owned by Ronald E. L. Beere was destroyed.

General Aircraft ST-18 Croydon

While returning from Darwin to Croydon and flying over the Timor Sea, crew made several navigation errors and eventually decided to make an emergency landing in the Seringapatam Reef (into the lagoon) located some 300 km off Cape Leveque, Western Australia. All four occupants were rescued by local fishermen while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair and abandoned on site.

Airspeed AS.6 Envoy

The aircraft christened 'Gabrielle' was owned by the British Max H. Findlay & Ken H. F. Waller who were taking part to the 'Schlesinger Trophy' between Portsmouth and Johannesburg. On takeoff from Abercorn Airfield, Northern Rhodesia, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed in the bush. The pilot Max Findlay and the radio operator A. H. Morgan were killed while both other occupants were injured. Crew: Max H. Findlay, pilot, Ken H. F. Waller, copilot, A.H. Morgan, radio operator, C. Derek Peachey, engineer.

Percival P.10 Vega Gull

The crew was taking part to the 'Schlesinger Trophy' from Portsmouth to Johannesburg. En route, poor weather conditions and heavy rain falls forced the crew to attempt an emergency landing in a prairie. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair in the maneuver while both occupants were injured. Crew: D. W. Llewellyn, pilot and owner, C. F. Hughesdon, copilot.

Simmonds Spartan

The pilot was performing a training flight. Aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Farnborough Airport, killing the pilot Simon Gilliat.

Percival P.10 Vega Gull

Pilot missed his landing and aircraft hit the ground and veered off runway. Both occupants were unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

De Havilland DH.60 Moth

Shortly after takeoff from Canute Airfield located in Ashingdon, north of Southend, the single engine aircraft encountered problem to gain altitude and hit a tree in the city of Ashingdon were it came to rest in a height of some 10 meters. Unhurt, both occupants went down the tree while the aircraft was later considered as damaged beyond repair. The aircraft was owned by John Henry Arthur Wells and William R. L. Beaumont. At the time of the accident, it was piloted by F. Fairhead.

De Havilland DH.60 Moth

The aircraft was owned by John Kempton Lawrence but piloted that day by Archibald J. Moffat who was travelling from West Malling to Kingsdown, in the region of Carlisle. En route, he encountered low visibility due to poor weather conditions and the single engine aircraft hit a slope of Mt Cross Fell, the highest mountain in the Pennine Hills at 893 meters. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was killed.

Avro 616 Avian IVM

Ten minutes after takeoff from Liverpool-Speke Airport, while in initial climb, the aircraft went out of control and crashed in the Mersey, off Wallasey. Both occupants were killed.

Simmonds Spartan

Crashed in unknown circumstances near Horsham, Sussex. While both occupants were uninjured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

De Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth

Shortly after takeoff from Hattargi, while in initial climb, the single engine aircraft hit a tree and crashed. While the pilot was injured, the passenger was killed. The aircraft was owned by Arthur H. Dalton.

Avro 504

Crashed in unknown circumstances in Tooting. The passenger and the pilot were injured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. It was owned by Leslie George Anderson.