Jersey – Southampton

Less than one minute after take off from Jersey-States Airport, while climbing to a height of 120 feet, the twin engine aircraft christened 'Saint Catherine's Bay' went through a cloud layer when the pilot attempted a turn to the left. The aircraft slid, stalled and then crashed in a huge explosion in an open field located 500 yards from the airport. All 14 occupants were killed as well as a farmer working on ground. To date, this was the worst air crash in the UK with the KLM DC-2 in 1936.

Flight / Schedule

Jersey – Southampton

Registration

G-ACZN

MSN

2316

Year of Manufacture

1934

Operator

Jersey Airways

Date

November 4, 1938 at 10:50 AM

Type

CRASH

Flight Type

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Flight Phase

Takeoff (climb)

Crash Site

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Crash Location

Jersey Channel Islands

Region

Europe • United Kingdom

Crash Cause

Human factor

Narrative Report

On November 4, 1938 at 10:50 AM, Jersey – Southampton experienced a crash involving De Havilland DH.86 Express, operated by Jersey Airways, with the event recorded near Jersey Channel Islands.

The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

14 people were known to be on board, 15 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 107.1%.

Crew on board: 1, crew fatalities: 1, passengers on board: 13, passenger fatalities: 13, other fatalities: 1.

The listed crash cause is human factor. Less than one minute after take off from Jersey-States Airport, while climbing to a height of 120 feet, the twin engine aircraft christened 'Saint Catherine's Bay' went through a cloud layer when the pilot attempted a turn to the left. The aircraft slid, stalled and then crashed in a huge explosion in an open field located 500 yards from the airport. All 14 occupants were killed as well as a farmer working on ground. To date, this was the worst air crash in the UK with the KLM DC-2 in 1936.

Aircraft reference details include registration G-ACZN, MSN 2316, year of manufacture 1934.

Fatalities

Total

15

Crew

1

Passengers

13

Other

1

Crash Summary

Less than one minute after take off from Jersey-States Airport, while climbing to a height of 120 feet, the twin engine aircraft christened 'Saint Catherine's Bay' went through a cloud layer when the pilot attempted a turn to the left. The aircraft slid, stalled and then crashed in a huge explosion in an open field located 500 yards from the airport. All 14 occupants were killed as well as a farmer working on ground. To date, this was the worst air crash in the UK with the KLM DC-2 in 1936.

Cause: Human factor

Occupants & Outcome

Crew On Board

1

Passengers On Board

13

Estimated Survivors

0

Fatality Rate

107.1%

Known people on board: 14

Operational Details

Schedule / Flight

Jersey – Southampton

Operator

Jersey Airways

Flight Type

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Flight Phase

Takeoff (climb)

Crash Site

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Region / Country

Europe • United Kingdom

Aircraft Details

Registration

G-ACZN

MSN

2316

Year of Manufacture

1934

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