Country
Crash of a De Havilland DH.89A Dragon Rapide 4 in Abbotsford
Date & Time:
Aug 11, 2018 at 1731 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N683DH
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Abbotsford - Abbotsford
MSN:
6782
YOM:
1944
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total hours on type:
20.00
Circumstances:
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.
Final Report:
Crash of a De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide in Audley End: 1 killed
Date & Time:
Jun 30, 1991 at 1326 LT
Registration:
G-AHGD
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Biggleswade - Audley End
MSN:
6862
YOM:
1946
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total hours on type:
15.00
Circumstances:
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.
Probable cause:
Loss of control at low height after a buckle on the seat belt became entangled with the flying controls.
Final Report:
Crash of a De Havilland DH.89A Dragon Rapide in Oxford
Date & Time:
Feb 5, 1989 at 1108 LT
Operator:
Registration:
G-AJHO
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Oxford - Shoreham
MSN:
6835
YOM:
1947
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total hours on type:
68.00
Circumstances:
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.
Probable cause:
Failure of the right engine following the failure of the 4th cylinder in flight.
Crash of a De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide in Antananarivo
Date & Time:
May 18, 1968
Registration:
5R-MAN
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Antananarivo - Antananarivo
MSN:
6591
YOM:
1941
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
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.
Crash of a De Havilland DH.89A Dragon Rapide in Halfpenny Green
Date & Time:
May 7, 1967
Registration:
G-AJKW
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Halfpenny Green - Halfpenny Green
MSN:
6539
YOM:
1947
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
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.
Crash of a De Havilland DH.89B Dominie near Queenstown
Date & Time:
Apr 15, 1967
Operator:
Registration:
ZK-AKT
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Te Anau - Queenstown
MSN:
6673
YOM:
1943
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
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.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure for undetermined reason.
