De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide

Historic Flight Foundation

The vintage de Havilland DH-89A MKIV Dragon Rapide biplane (U.S. registration N683DH, serial number 6782) operated by Historic Flight Foundation was part of the static aircraft display at the Abbotsford International Airshow at Abbotsford Airport (CYXX), British Columbia. Following the conclusion of the airshow that day, the aircraft was being used to provide air rides. At approximately 1731 on 11 August 2018, the aircraft began its takeoff from Runway 25 with the pilot and 4 passengers on board for a local flight to the southeast. During the takeoff, the aircraft encountered strong, gusting crosswinds. It climbed to about 30 feet above ground level before descending suddenly and impacting the runway, coming to rest on its nose immediately off the right edge of the runway. Within 2 minutes, 2 aircraft rescue firefighting trucks arrived on the scene along with an operations/command vehicle. About 10 minutes later, 2 St. John Ambulances arrived. A representative of the HFF was escorted to the scene to ensure all electronics on the aircraft were turned off. Shortly thereafter, 2 BC Ambulance Service ground ambulances arrived, followed by 2 City of Abbotsford fire trucks. Two BC Ambulance Service air ambulances arrived after that. The fire trucks stabilized the aircraft, and the first responders who arrived with the fire truck finished evacuating the occupants. The pilot and 1 passenger received serious injuries; the other 3 passengers received minor injuries. All of the aircraft occupants were taken to the hospital. The aircraft was substantially damaged. There was a fuel spill, but no fire. The emergency locator transmitter activated.

Paul A. %26 Andrew Wood

The pilot, sole on board, departed Biggleswade bound for Audley End to take part to an airshow. On completion of the fourth turn, which was wider than previous turns, the aircraft rolled out on a westerly heading and rpm on both fixed-pitch propellers was reduced to around idle. The aircraft decelerated in straight and level flight with the flaps lowered and in a progressively more nose-up attitude. At low airspeed, mid-way along the display axis, the aircraft rolled to starboard and entered a spin to the right from a height of between 400 and 500 feet. It crashed approximately 300 metres north of the display axis and behind a line of trees which obscured spectator's view of the impact. The pilot was killed.

Proteus Petroleum

After takeoff from runway 20 at Oxford-Kidlington Airport, while climbing to an altitude of 1,500 feet, the pilot reduced engine power when the right engine failed. He informed ATC at Oxford Airport and was cleared to return. Shortly later, the right engine caught fire and the pilot attempted an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed in a soft ground about 8 km south of the airport, bursting into flames. The pilot escaped uninjured.

Para Club de Tananarive

Shortly after liftoff, while in initial climb, the airplane stalled and crashed. All six occupants (five skydivers and one pilot) were uninjured while the aircraft was destroyed.

Skydivers Flying Club

Following a successfully skydiving mission in the region of Halfpenny Green Airport, the crew was returning to his base when the airplane crashed on landing for unknown reason. All three occupants survived while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Southern Scenic Air-Services

About 15 minutes after departure from Te Anau-Manapouri Airport, the left engine vibrated then failed. The pilot continued his route to Queenstown-Frankton Airport when on approach, the right engine failed as well. The pilot attempted an emergency landing when the airplane crashed in the Shotover River located few km from the airfield. All three occupants were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Private Australian

Crashed in unknown circumstances at Brisbane-Archerfield Airport while completing a local training flight with skydivers. Both occupants were uninjured while the aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair.

Southern Scenic Air-Services

The twin engine aircraft was involved in an aerial photography mission out from Wellington. En route, the pilot encountered whiteout conditions and lost his orientation when the airplane struck the slope of Mt Soho located about 9 km north of Arrowtown, Otago. All five occupants were rescued and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Southern Scenic Air-Services

At liftoff, the airplane went out of control and struck the runway surface before coming to rest. All three occupants were evacuated safely while the aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair.

Solair Flying Services

The aircraft was on a flight from Middleton St. George to Birmingham, and the crew of one pilot and one photographer planned to complete several photographic survey jobs en route. Shortly after sunset, when flying at 2,000 ft. a.m.s.l. at an estimated position five miles west of Sheffield and near high ground rising to 2,000 ft. a.m.s.l., the pilot decided that the fuel remaining was insufficient to reach Birmingham with the existing headwind of 40 knots. He established contact with Manchester Approach Control and was given permission to divert to Manchester Airport on a special VFR clearance "not above 3,500 ft. a.m.s.l. on a QNH of 1013 mbs., clear of all cloud, and in sight of the surface". Shortly after this, when on a north-westerly heading to intercept a QDM of 270°M to the 'ME' (Manchester) beacon, the pilot saw hill tops about four miles ahead and commenced climbing from 2,000 ft. to 3,500 ft. The pilot states that the aircraft entered cloud at 2,500 ft. and that, on reaching 2,700 ft., he noticed that the vertical speed indicator was showing a descent of 2,000 ft./min. He states that he applied full power and eased the nose up but, after this, he remembers nothing further until he regained consciousness lying on the ground, alongside the photographer in front of the wrecked aircraft.