Croydon - Manchester
Flight / Schedule
Croydon - Manchester
Aircraft
De Havilland DH.34Registration
G-EBBS
MSN
29
Year of Manufacture
1922
Operator
Daimler AirwayDate
September 14, 1923 at 06:05 PM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Flight Phase
Flight
Crash Site
Plain, Valley
Crash Location
Ivinghoe Beacon Buckinghamshire
Region
Europe • United Kingdom
Coordinates
51.8419°, -0.6076°
Crash Cause
Human factor
Narrative Report
On September 14, 1923 at 06:05 PM, Croydon - Manchester experienced a crash involving De Havilland DH.34, operated by Daimler Airway, with the event recorded near Ivinghoe Beacon Buckinghamshire.
The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was flight at a plain, valley crash site.
5 people were known to be on board, 5 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.
Crew on board: 2, crew fatalities: 2, passengers on board: 3, passenger fatalities: 3, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is human factor. The flight was a scheduled domestic passenger flight from Croydon to Manchester. Whilst flying over Buckinghamshire, a storm was encountered. Witnesses stated that an engine stopped, but was then restarted. It appeared to them that an emergency landing was going to be made at Ford End, Ivinghoe, when the aircraft dived to the ground and crashed at Ivinghoe Beacon. The wreckage came to rest upside down, with both crew and all three passengers being killed. One witness reported hearing a violent explosion, but was not sure whether this was before the aircraft crashed or as a result of the crash. Villagers extricated the victims from the wreckage. The deceased were taken to Ivinghoe Town Hall pending an inquest by the coroner. As a result of the crash, Daimler Airway temporarily suspended their service between Croydon and Manchester, due to having no aircraft to operate it. The inquest opened on 17 September at Ivinghoe Town Hall. Evidence was given that the pilot was experienced, having flown for 755 hours, and that the aircraft was airworthy on departure from Croydon. It was carrying an adequate supply of fuel, having departed Croydon with 73 imperial gallons (330 l) of fuel against an estimated consumption of around 50 imperial gallons (230 l). The aircraft could carry eight passengers, but as only three were on board 400 pounds (180 kg) of ballast was carried, as well as a quantity of mail. Witnesses reported that the aircraft stalled before crashing.
Aircraft reference details include registration G-EBBS, MSN 29, year of manufacture 1922.
Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 51.8419°, -0.6076°.
Fatalities
Total
5
Crew
2
Passengers
3
Other
0
Crash Summary
The flight was a scheduled domestic passenger flight from Croydon to Manchester. Whilst flying over Buckinghamshire, a storm was encountered. Witnesses stated that an engine stopped, but was then restarted. It appeared to them that an emergency landing was going to be made at Ford End, Ivinghoe, when the aircraft dived to the ground and crashed at Ivinghoe Beacon. The wreckage came to rest upside down, with both crew and all three passengers being killed. One witness reported hearing a violent explosion, but was not sure whether this was before the aircraft crashed or as a result of the crash. Villagers extricated the victims from the wreckage. The deceased were taken to Ivinghoe Town Hall pending an inquest by the coroner. As a result of the crash, Daimler Airway temporarily suspended their service between Croydon and Manchester, due to having no aircraft to operate it. The inquest opened on 17 September at Ivinghoe Town Hall. Evidence was given that the pilot was experienced, having flown for 755 hours, and that the aircraft was airworthy on departure from Croydon. It was carrying an adequate supply of fuel, having departed Croydon with 73 imperial gallons (330 l) of fuel against an estimated consumption of around 50 imperial gallons (230 l). The aircraft could carry eight passengers, but as only three were on board 400 pounds (180 kg) of ballast was carried, as well as a quantity of mail. Witnesses reported that the aircraft stalled before crashing.
Cause: Human factor
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
2
Passengers On Board
3
Estimated Survivors
0
Fatality Rate
100.0%
Known people on board: 5
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Croydon - Manchester
Operator
Daimler AirwayFlight Type
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Flight Phase
Flight
Crash Site
Plain, Valley
Region / Country
Europe • United Kingdom
Aircraft Details
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