Jersey – Southampton

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.