Vickers Vulcan

Imperial Airways

As the engine has been changed the day prior to the accident, the pilot was engaged in a test flight with an inspector of the Civil Aviation Authority. Due to the nature of the flight, four employees of Imperial Airways were authorized to take part of the flight. Shortly after takeoff, while climbing, the aircraft crashed into a market garden near Leigh Cottage on Woodcote Road, it was seen by residents flying low over the rooftops with the engine "evidently in difficulties". The accident occurred in a potato field located 3 miles south of the airport, in Purley. As the pilot was ejected on impact and was uninjured, he helped one of the passengers from the enclosed cabin free. Shortly later, the aircraft burst into flames and it was not possible to rescue the other passengers. The four passengers (two male and two females) were killed and later evidence was that at least one had died due to the impact and the others were unconscious before the fire.

Leslie Hamilton

The crew was performing a special flight from Brooklands to North Africa. While cruising off the Italian coast, the single engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances in the Mediterranean Sea. SAR were initiated but no trace of the aircraft nor the crew was found.

Instone Air Line

Few minutes after takeoff from Croydon, the pilot encountered technical problems and decided to make an emergency landing in Oxted, near Caterham, Surrey. While all occupants were uninjured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. Exact date of the occurrence remains unknown. The accident occurred between 1st and 31st of August 1922.