Country
United Kingdom

Crash of a De Havilland DH.34B in Carrville

Date & Time: Jul 3, 1925
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.34
Operator:
Registration:
G-EBBY
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Croydon - Newcastle
MSN:
36
YOM:
1922
Location:
Carrville
Durham
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft was performing a special flight from Croydon to Newcastle to follow the 'King's Cup Air Race'. En route, while cruising over Durham County, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and low visibility due to fog. As the pilot was unable to localize the destination, he decided to attempt an emergency landing in an open field when the aircraft impacted a ditch and came to rest against trees. While all seven occupants were uninjured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.34B in Croydon: 8 killed

Date & Time: Dec 24, 1924 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.34
Operator:
Registration:
G-EBBX
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Croydon - Paris
MSN:
36
YOM:
1922
Location:
Croydon
Surrey
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Croydon Airport, while climbing to a height of 300 feet, the aircraft suffered a technical problem, stalled and crashed in an open field located in Purley, some 2,4 km south of the airport, bursting into flames. SAR arrived quickly on the scene but it was impossible to rescue the eight occupants who were prisoner of the fire. The pilot and five passengers were British citizens, another was Brazilian and the last was a Chilean.
Probable cause:
The report into the inquiry was published on 10FEB1925. The inquiry concluded that the aircraft was airworthy at the time of departure. There was no blockage in the petrol pipe, such damage being as a result of the firefighting operations subsequent to the crash. The use of unarmored pipe had been allowed by Air Ministry officials who were unaware of an instruction issued on 6 December 1923 that armored piping was to be used. Such usage of non-armored piping had no relevance to the accident. The then-current conditions existing at Croydon Airport meant that pilots were unable to comply with certain parts of the Air Navigation (Consolidation) Order, 1923 and that the condition of the airfield was at least a contributory factor in the accident. It also found that clarification of the meaning of the word "flight" in parts of the order was needed. No negligence was found on the part of the Air Ministry or Imperial Airways. The pilot was cleared of blame for the accident. The aircraft was found to have crashed due to an unknown mechanical defect and subsequent stall whilst an emergency landing was being attempted. In conclusion, it was determined that G-EBBX had experienced some type of mechanical malfunction prior to the accident, but the nature of the problem could not be determined. The fact that Croydon had been listed as an ‘unsatisfactory’ airport, because of its wind conditions, could have been a contributing factor, according to the investigative report.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.34 in Croydon

Date & Time: Sep 23, 1924
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.34
Operator:
Registration:
G-EBCX
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Croydon - Paris
MSN:
40
YOM:
1922
Location:
Croydon
Surrey
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Croydon Airport, the aircraft stalled and crashed. All seven occupants evacuated with minor injuries and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.34 in Ostend

Date & Time: May 27, 1924
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.34
Operator:
Registration:
G-EBBR
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Brussels - Ostend - Croydon
MSN:
28
YOM:
1922
Location:
Ostend
West Flanders
Country:
Belgium
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. All occupants escaped unhurt while the aircraft was destroyed.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.34 in Ivinghoe Beacon: 5 killed

Date & Time: Sep 14, 1923 at 1805 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.34
Operator:
Registration:
G-EBBS
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Croydon - Manchester
MSN:
29
YOM:
1922
Location:
Ivinghoe Beacon
Buckinghamshire
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
755
Circumstances:
The flight was a scheduled domestic passenger flight from Croydon to Manchester. Whilst flying over Buckinghamshire, a storm was encountered. Witnesses stated that an engine stopped, but was then restarted. It appeared to them that an emergency landing was going to be made at Ford End, Ivinghoe, when the aircraft dived to the ground and crashed at Ivinghoe Beacon. The wreckage came to rest upside down, with both crew and all three passengers being killed. One witness reported hearing a violent explosion, but was not sure whether this was before the aircraft crashed or as a result of the crash. Villagers extricated the victims from the wreckage. The deceased were taken to Ivinghoe Town Hall pending an inquest by the coroner. As a result of the crash, Daimler Airway temporarily suspended their service between Croydon and Manchester, due to having no aircraft to operate it. The inquest opened on 17 September at Ivinghoe Town Hall. Evidence was given that the pilot was experienced, having flown for 755 hours, and that the aircraft was airworthy on departure from Croydon. It was carrying an adequate supply of fuel, having departed Croydon with 73 imperial gallons (330 l) of fuel against an estimated consumption of around 50 imperial gallons (230 l). The aircraft could carry eight passengers, but as only three were on board 400 pounds (180 kg) of ballast was carried, as well as a quantity of mail. Witnesses reported that the aircraft stalled before crashing.
Probable cause:
Air Ministry announced that as a result of the investigation into the circumstances of the accident to aircraft G-EBBS, the Inspector of Accidents has arrived at the following conclusions:
a) That the accident was due to an error of judgment on the part of the pilot, causing the aeroplane to lose flying speed near the ground.
b) That when the accident occurred the pilot was attempting to make a landing on account of the bad weather conditions.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.34 in Croydon

Date & Time: Aug 30, 1923
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.34
Operator:
Registration:
G-EBBQ
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Croydon - Brussels
MSN:
27
YOM:
1922
Location:
Croydon
Surrey
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed shortly after takeoff from Croydon Airport, en route to Brussels. There were no casualties. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.34 in Harrow Weald

Date & Time: Nov 3, 1922
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.34
Operator:
Registration:
G-EBBU
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
31
YOM:
1922
Location:
Harrow Weald
Middlesex
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Few minutes after takeoff from Croydon Airport, the crew encountered technical problems and elected to make an emergency landing. The aircraft impacted trees and crashed in a field. All 10 occupants evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
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