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Crash of a De Havilland DH.104 Dove 2A in Shoreham-by-Sea: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jul 9, 1983 at 1005 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.104 Dove
Operator:
Keith David Wickenden
Registration:
G-AMYP
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Test
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Shoreham-by-Sea - Shoreham-by-Sea
MSN:
04421
YOM:
1953
Location:
Shoreham-by-Sea
West Sussex
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
602
Captain / Total hours on type:
13.00
Circumstances:
The pilot, also owner of the aircraft, elected to make a post-engine change test flight himself. After takeoff from Shoreham-by-Sea Airport runway 07 in good weather, eye-witnesses considered that the take-off and initial climb were normal except that intermittent puffs of dark smoke were seen coming from the right engine. At about 600 feet above ground level the aircraft was seen to roll to the right then turn on to its back and spin to the ground. After a short pause the aircraft burst into flames and was largely consumed by an intense fire. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Examination of the wreckage revealed that the aircraft impacted with the sloping side of the west flood bank of the River Adur. At impact the aircraft was 60° nose down, rolled to the right, and was yawing to the right. Both engines were rotating, with the left engine developing more power than the right. Detailed wreckage examination at the AIB engineering facility at Farnborough showed that the rudder was approximately fully left and the elevator fully up. Engine strip examination yielded no evidence of any pre-crash defect in the left engine, but severe corrosion was found in the fuel control boost capsule (Part n° CH 90274) of the right engine. Tests were carried out on an engine test bed to examine the effects of boost capsule perforation. It was found that such a fault would induce power fluctuations, and that the engine could experience a rich cut when the throttle was retarded. Research into previous incidents on the same type of aircraft revealed two occasions during which fluctuating boost and rpm had been experienced after take-off and later attributed to boost capsule perforation.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DH.104 Dove 7XC in Munich

Date & Time: Jun 24, 1983
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.104 Dove
Operator:
Kaufmann Air Flugzeugvermietung
Registration:
D-IFSC
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
04527
Location:
Munich-Riem
Bavaria
Country:
Germany
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
At liftoff, the twin engine airplane suffered an engine failure, stalled and crashed. There were no casualties.
Probable cause:
Engine failure at takeoff for unknown reasons.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.104 Dove 1 at Yelahanka AFB

Date & Time: Mar 15, 1982
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.104 Dove
Operator:
Registration:
HW204
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Yelahanka - Yelahanka
MSN:
04081
YOM:
1947
Location:
Yelahanka AFB (Bangalore)
Karnataka
Country:
India
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a local training flight at Yelahanka Airbase. Control was lost upon landing after the crew attempted to land on one engine. There were no casualties.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.104 Dove 5A in Sebring

Date & Time: May 1, 1981 at 0830 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.104 Dove
Operator:
Registration:
N630H
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
04378
YOM:
1952
Location:
Sebring
Florida
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Sebring Airport, while in initial climb, one of the engine failed. The pilot attempted an emergency landing when the airplane crash landed in a swampy area located on the north shore of Lake Istokpoga, about 2,5 miles south of Sebring airport. The pilot was not recovered and the airplane was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure for undetermined reasons.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DH.104 Dove 8 in Cherbourg

Date & Time: Nov 20, 1980
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.104 Dove
Operator:
Fishing & Marine Salvage
Registration:
G-ASHW
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
04532
YOM:
1963
Location:
Cherbourg-Maupertus
Manche
Country:
France
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed on takeoff for unknown reasons. There were no casualties.

Ground accident of a De Havilland DH.104 Devon in Wellington

Date & Time: Mar 31, 1980
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.104 Dove
Operator:
Registration:
NZ1820
Flight Phase:
Taxiing
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
04411
Location:
Wellington
Greater Wellington Regional Council
Country:
New Zealand
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While taxiing, the crew encountered technical problems with the braking systems. The captain decided to raise the landing gear when the aircraft sank on its belly and came to a halt. Both occupants were uninjured.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.104 Dove 5BA off Santa Marta: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 12, 1978
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.104 Dove
Operator:
Aircraft Brokers
Registration:
N4959N
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Delivery
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
04311
YOM:
1951
Location:
Santa Marta-Simón Bolívar
Magdalena
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
En route to Colombia on a delivery flight, the crew informed ATC about an engine failure and was cleared to divert to Santa Marta-Simón Bolívar Airport for an emergency landing. Few minutes later, the twin engine airplane went out of control and crashed into the sea few km off Santa Marta. The aircraft sank and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Engine failure in-flight for unknown reasons.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.104 Dove off Chicago: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 20, 1975 at 1139 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.104 Dove
Operator:
Astro Airways
Registration:
N1536V
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Positioning
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Chicago - Chicago
MSN:
04355
YOM:
1952
Location:
Chicago-Merrill C. Meigs
Illinois
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
6650
Captain / Total hours on type:
22.00
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Chicago-Merrill C. Meigs, while climbing, both engines failed simultaneously. The pilot lost control of the airplane that stalled and crashed into Lake Michigan. The aircraft was lost and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Probable cause:
Complete failure of both engines due to fuel exhaustion. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Mismanagement of fuel,
- Fuel exhaustion,
- Failure of both engines,
- Improper operations of flight controls,
- Fuel drained total less than two gallons from each wing,
- Right wing hit first and aircraft cartwheeled.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DH.104 Dove 5 in Biggin Hill

Date & Time: Apr 18, 1975
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.104 Dove
Operator:
Registration:
G-ASDD
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
04452
YOM:
1970
Location:
Biggin Hill
London Metropolis
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Biggin Hill Airport, the airplane failed to gain sufficient height and struck tree tops located past the runway end. The crew completed a downwind circuit and was able to return for an emergency landing. There were no injuries but the aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.104 Dove 2A near Carpinteria: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 6, 1975 at 0423 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.104 Dove
Operator:
Trans National Airlines - TNA
Registration:
N424SF
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Paso Robles - Los Angeles
MSN:
04335
YOM:
1952
Location:
Carpinteria
California
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
6000
Captain / Total hours on type:
400.00
Circumstances:
While cruising by night in marginal weather conditions (low clouds), the airplane struck the slope of a mountain located near Carpinteria. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and the pilot, sole on board, was killed. The wreckage was found two days later.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain following improper in-flight decisions on part of the pilot. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Electrical failure,
- Low ceiling,
- High obstructions,
- Ceiling at 3,000 feet,
- Both generators and batteries failed in flight.
Final Report:
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