De Havilland DH.60 Moth | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

Shortly after takeoff from Lympne, while climbing, the engine failed. The pilot lost control of the aircraft that crashed in a field one km northeast of the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were injured, among them H. G. Travers, instructor.

Probable cause:

Engine failure.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.60G Gipsy Moth in Kinross

Date & Time: Mar 26, 1929

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.60 Moth

Operator:

Registration:

ZS-ABG

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

415

YOM:

1927

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The pilot, sole on board, departed Johannesburg on a solo private flight. En route, he was forced to attempt an emergency landing for unknown reasons. The aircraft crashed near Kinross and was destroyed. The pilot was uninjured.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.60X Moth in Edmonton

Date & Time: Mar 25, 1929

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.60 Moth

Operator:

Edmonton & Northern Alberta Aero Club

Registration:

G-CALB

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Edmonton - Edmonton

MSN:

580

YOM:

1928

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff, while climbing to a height of 100 feet, the aircraft stalled and dove into the ground. Both occupants were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.60X Moth in Calais: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 19, 1929

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.60 Moth

Operator:

Alf Gunnestad

Registration:

N-38

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Delivery

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Lympne – Oslo

MSN:

428

YOM:

1927

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The pilot and owner Alf Gunnestad took delivery of the aircraft in Lympne and was flying back to his base in Oslo. While flying over the area of Calais, he encountered foggy conditions and lost control of the aircraft that crashed. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and the pilot was killed.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.60X Moth in Varillas: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 17, 1929

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.60 Moth

Operator:

Registration:

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Postal (mail)

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Copiapó – Antofagasta

MSN:

673

YOM:

1928

Location:

Varillas

Región de Antofagasta

Country:

Chile

Region:

South America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

En route from Copiapó to Antofagasta, the crew encountered severe turbulences and lost control of the aircraft that crashed into the ground. Both crew Julio Fuentealba and Luis Rebolledo were killed.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.60X Moth in Victoria

Date & Time: Mar 10, 1929

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.60 Moth

Operator:

Victoria Aero Club

Registration:

G-CAKA

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Victoria - Victoria

MSN:

448

YOM:

1928

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The pilot, sole on board, was completing a local training flight at Victoria Airport. On final approach, while completing a last turn at a height of 50 feet, the engine failed. The aircraft stalled and crashed short of runway. The pilot was injured.

Probable cause:

Engine failure on final approach.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.60 Moth in the North Sea: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 8, 1929

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.60 Moth

Operator:

Registration:

G-AABA

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Hucknall AFB - Hucknall AFB

MSN:

700

YOM:

1928

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The pilot A. J. Peacey departed Hucknall Airport during the day for a training mission. While cruising bound to the east, he encountered poor weather conditions and continued over the North Sea. He may have lost his orientation when the single engine aircraft crashed in the sea. A day later, the crew of the German steamer named 'Margot' found debris of the aircraft floating on water some 100 km west off Terschelling, in The Netherlands. No trace of the pilot was found. It is believed that the pilot probably lost his orientation while flying in low clouds and engaged himself over the North Sea without knowing his exact position.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.60 Moth in Wangaratta: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 7, 1929

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.60 Moth

Operator:

Registration:

A7-19

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Wangaratta – Laverton

MSN:

600

YOM:

1928

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff, in initial climb, the aircraft hit tree tops and crashed, bursting into flames. Second pilot F/O Herbert Warland remained trapped inside the aircraft and perished despite the efforts of first pilot Swinbourne to enter the wreckage to save his passenger, receiving severe burns in doing so. Ironically, at the time of the accident, Swinbourne was the Secretary of the Air Accidents Investigation Committee.