De Havilland DH.60 Moth

Private British

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.

Private British

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.

Private Australian

The single engine airplane crash in unknown circumstances near the Burdekin River in Home Hill. The sole occupant was unhurt while the aircraft owned by Paddy F. Nielsen was damaged beyond repair.

Private Australian

Built in 1928, the aircraft was restored for three years and has just been delivered to its new owner, J. O. Richardson, three days prior to the accident. The pilot, sole on board, was completing a local flight at Moorabbin Airport. On final approach, the engine failed. The aircraft stalled and crashed short of runway. The pilot was injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Private Canadian

Crashed on takeoff from Bow Lake. Occupant fate remains unknown.

Club d'Aviation de Neuchâtel

The pilot and two passengers were completing a local flight over the region of Lausanne. On final approach, the single engine airplane hit a crane and crashed onto a house, bursting into flames. A passenger was seriously while two other occupants were killed, among them the pilot Enrique Pernot. The unique survivor died from his injuries a day later.

Private Canadian

On landing off Wolfe Island, the single engine aircraft hit a stake in water and came to rest. While both occupants were unhurt, the aircraft owned by Donald Barnes was damaged beyond repair.

Hall's Air Service

Stalled shortly after takeoff from Val d'Or Airport. The pilot, sole on board, was injured and the aircraft was written off.

Aros-Flyg

The crew was performing a training flight from Västerås to Göteborg. On approach to Torslanda Airport from the northwest, the single engine aircraft went out of control, crashed into the sea off Tumlehed and came to rest upside down. Both occupants were rescued while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Ontario Provincial Air Service

Shortly after takeoff from Kwagama Lake, while in initial climb, the single engine aircraft encountered downdraft, stalled and crashed into the lake. Both occupants were rescued while the aircraft sank and was lost.

Rocky Point Airways

The single engine aircraft was performing a cargo flight to Dorset with a pilot and one passenger on board. Enroute, the pilot was forced to make an emergency landing in Russell Landing for unknown reason. While both occupants were unhurt, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Norrlandsflyg

Crashed on landing. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were injured.

Ontario Provincial Air Service

After liftoff from Twin Lakes, the single engine aircraft stalled and crashed into the lake. Both occupants escaped and were rescued while the aircraft was lost.

Royal Aero Club of New South Wales

While on a local flight, the single engine went out of control and spun in between Prince Henry Hospital and Long Bay Gaol, south Sydney. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, Mrs. Betty Faux, was killed. VH-AAQ was an aircraft rebuilt by the Aero Club of NSW at Mascot during the war when acquiring replacement aircraft required desperate measures. It was based on the wreck of Moth VH-UHQ which was badly burnt in a hangar fire at Wagga 10DEC1939. The rebuilt aircraft was designated a D.H.60GIII Moth Major (with c/n 1) and was test flown on 14DEC1943. It continued to fly with the RACNSW for almost exactly two years until it crashed. Source: Ed Coates

International Airways of Canada

While flying in a snowstorm, the single engine aircraft hit tree tops and crashed in a wooded area located in Hidden Lake, some 26 miles northeast from Yellowknife. Both occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Private Canadian

Crashed on takeoff from Fraser River, BC. The crew fate remains unknown. The single engine aircraft was owned by P. Jorgenson.

Royal Air Force - RAF

Crashed in unknown circumstances in Blindstones Moss, near Oldham. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

Few minutes after take off from Dakar-Yoff Airport, the engine failed, forcing the pilot to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed some 10 miles northeast of the airport and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. The pilot, 2nd Lt Frank L. Loftus, was injured.

Aero Clube de Moçambique

Crew was engaged in a training flight in the vicinity of the Maputo International Airport. In flight, crew lost control of the aircraft that crashed on a beach in Costa do Sol, west of the airport. Both pilots Lino Augusto da Conceição and Manuel Duarte were injured.

Royal Air Force - RAF

Crashed on landing at RAF South Cerney in unknown circumstances. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and both crewmen survived.

Royal New Zealand Air Force - RNZAF

While performing a training flight at a height of 2,000 feet, the crew lost control of the aircraft that dove and crashed into the sea, few hundred yards off shore. Both occupants were killed.

Eastern Air Transport

Crashed into the sea while on approach to Ettalong Beach. Both occupants were rescued but the aircraft was lost. Since 1926, it was its fifth accident according to all details provided by ASN. Source: http://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=163131

Guinea Airways

Landed hard for unknown reason. No casualties. The aircraft was written off after cracks were found in the rear fuselage spars.

Provincial Air Service of Lands %26 Forests

Crashed shortly after take off from a lake located some 24 km of Gogama. The crew was en route to Sault Sainte Marie on a fire fighting mission. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were injured.

Royal Australian Air Force - RAAF

The single engine aircraft crashed on landing. Both pilots were unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Toronto Flying Club

Crashed on landing at Toronto Airport. Crew fate unknown.

Private Swedish

The single engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances and was written off. Both occupants were rescued.

Leavens Brothers Air Services

Crashed on take off for unknown reason. Occupant fate unknown as well.

Private Canadian

On landing, the single engine aircraft owned by R. Wells went out of control and came to rest upside down. The pilot was injured.

Private Australian

En route, the single engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances near Mount Brockman, some 45 km south of Oenpelli. The pilot, sole on board, was on a delivery mission to Oenpelli with 'Christmas Supplies' on board. The aircraft was wrecked and the pilot was seriously injured. The aircraft was owned by Charles N. K. Bell. Source: http://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=163174

Royal Air Force - RAF

The pilot, sole on board, was convoying the aircraft from RAF Silloth to RAF Squires Gate. The aircraft crashed on landing for unknown reason and was damaged beyond repair. The pilot was unhurt.

Royal Air Force - RAF

For unknown reasons, the single engine aircraft overshot on landing and came to rest. As it was damaged beyond repair, the pilot was unhurt.

Toronto Flying Club

The pilot, sole on board, was performing a training flight and was practicing stall and forced landings. On approach, he lost control of the aircraft that crashed in a field. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and the pilot was slightly injured.

Cape Breton Flying Club

On approach to Sydney, the single engine aircraft stalled and crashed. Both occupants were injured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Radium Hot Springs Flying Service

En route, the pilot encountered unknown technical problems and was forced to attempt an emergency landing in Windermere, south of Radium Hot Springs. The pilot was unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Royal Australian Air Force - RAAF

Shortly after take off from Point Cook airbase, while climbing, a wing failed. The aircraft went out of control, dove into the ground and crashed in a field located 3 km from the airport. Both pilots were killed. Crew (1st FTS): F/O R. T. Vincent, P/O J. R. Whitford.

Private Canadian

Shortly after take off, while climbing, the pilot was forced to make a sharp turn to avoid trees. The aircraft stalled and crashed two kilometers from its departure point. The pilot was injured. The aircraft was owned by T. G. Bartsch & D. Patry.

Royal Norwegian Air Force - Kongelige Norske Luftforsvaret

The pilot was performing a solo training flight when he lost control of the aircraft that crashed in the Trondheim harbor. The pilot was injured and the aircraft was lost.

Isle of Wight Flying Club

The single engine aircraft crashed shortly after take off and burst into flames. While the passenger was injured, the pilot and instructor Adam Karollyi was killed.

Private Canadian

The owner/pilot C.L.E. Gordon was performing a pleasure flight in the region of Compton. En route, he was forced to attempt an emergency landing for unknown reason. The aircraft crashed in a field and came to rest upside down. The pilot was unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Wairarapa Aero Club

On final approach to Masterton-Hood Airport, the single engine aircraft was too low and hit a fence before nosing to the ground. While the aircraft was destroyed, both occupants were injured. Crew: Frederick J. McDonald, instructor, John Morrison, student pilot.

Australian National Airways - ANA

The single engine aircraft, owned by Australian National Airways, was piloted by Gertrude McKenzie who was taking boys from the St. Vincent de Paul Orphanage for joy flights. While preparing for take off, the aircraft collided with another De Havilland DH.60G Gipsy Moth. Registered VH-UHS, it was owned by the Royal Victorian Aero Club and piloted by Florence Wurts who was also taking boys from the St. Vincent de Paul Orphanage for joy flights. Both aircraft suffered an extensive fire and were destroyed. While both occupants of VH-UNP were slightly injured, the pilot of VH-UHS, Miss Florence Wurts was killed and the young passenger was injured. The exact circumstances of the collision remains unknown.

Royal Victorian Aero Club

The single engine aircraft, owned by Australian National Airways, was piloted by Gertrude McKenzie who was taking boys from the St. Vincent de Paul Orphanage for joy flights. While preparing for take off, the aircraft collided with another De Havilland DH.60G Gipsy Moth. Registered VH-UHS, it was owned by the Royal Victorian Aero Club and piloted by Florence Wurts who was also taking boys from the St. Vincent de Paul Orphanage for joy flights. Both aircraft suffered an extensive fire and were destroyed. While both occupants of VH-UNP were slightly injured, the pilot of VH-UHS, Miss Florence Wurts was killed and the young passenger was injured. The exact circumstances of the collision remains unknown.

Private Australian

The crew was performing a training flight when he lost control of the aircraft that crashed near the airport. While the instructor was killed, the student pilot was injured. It is believed that the pilot who was not an instructor was giving flight instruction. Also, the flight was considered as unauthorized/illegal.

Auckland Aero Club

The crew was performing a training flight around Auckland Airport. On final, while completing a last turn to join the runway, the single engine aircraft stalled and crashed in a field. Both occupants were injured while the aircraft was destroyed.

Kingston Flying Club

On final approach to Kingston Airfield, the single engine aircraft was too low, hit tree tops and crashed upside down. Both occupants were injured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

De Havilland Aircraft UK

Crashed in unknown circumstances. Both occupants were unhurt and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. It was eventually restored in September 1951.

Royal Australian Air Force - RAAF

The single engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances somewhere in Australia. Both pilots were injured while the aircraft was destroyed. Crew: P. McDonough, instructor pilot, J. Costello, student pilot.

Graffo Flight Services

Crashed on landing in Russell, southeast of Ottawa. Occupant fate unknown.

Private Canadian

Crashed in unknown circumstances in Esquimalt Harbor, near Victoria. Occupant fate unknown.