De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

Upon landing at Douglas-Ronaldsway Airport, the twin engine aircraft went out of control, veered off runway and collided with a hangar. All eight occupants were slightly injured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.89A Dragon Rapide near Ruţbah Wells

Date & Time: Mar 10, 1936

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide

Operator:

Registration:

G-ADNG

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Desert

Schedule:

Haifa – Ruţbah Wells

MSN:

6297

YOM:

1935

Location:

Ruţbah Wells (Ar Ruţbah)

Al-Anbar (الأنبار)

Country:

Iraq

Region:

Asia

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While approaching En route Ruţbah Wells, the pilot encountered problems and was forced to attempt an emergency. The twin engine aircraft crash landed in a desert area located some 50 km west of Ruţbah Wells. All six occupants evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.89A Dragon Rapide in Babo

Date & Time: Mar 7, 1936

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide

Operator:

Nederlandse Nieuw Guinea Petroleum Maatschappij (NNGPM)

Registration:

PK-AKW

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Bandung - Babo

MSN:

6294

YOM:

1934

Location:

Babo

Special Region of West Papua

Country:

Indonesia

Region:

Asia

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Following a survey flight from Bandung, the crew was approaching Babo Airfield when the twin engine aircraft crash landed and came to rest upside down. All three occupants, among them Captain Tideman, were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.89A Dragon Rapide in Moncton

Date & Time: Jul 18, 1935

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide

Operator:

Registration:

CF-AEO

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

6279

YOM:

1935

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from Moncton Airport, while climbing, the aircraft stalled and crashed, bursting into flames. All five occupants were rescued while the aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire. The reason for the occurrence remains unknown but it seems that one of the wings dropped shortly after rotation.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide off Folkestone: 7 killed

Date & Time: Oct 2, 1934 at 1050 LT

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide

Operator:

Registration:

G-ACPM

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Croydon – Paris

MSN:

6251

YOM:

1934

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While overflying The Channel, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with light rain and fog. He decided to return but due to low visibility and while cruising under VFR mode in IFR conditions, he was unable to distinguish the water surface and eventually lost control of the aircraft that crashed into the sea some five km off Folkestone. All seven occupants were killed. First accident involving a De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide.
Crew:
Walter Robert Bannister, pilot.
Passengers:
Louis Beigneuxl,
Jean Louis Bordaz,
Miss Phyllis Budden,
Andrew McGregor Ritchie,
Albert Paul de Sanno,
Helene Slabodsky.

Probable cause:

UK Air Ministry attributed the cause of the accident to a lack of skill and knowledge in matters of navigation on the part of the pilot. Significantly, it was noted in the investigative report that he lacked both a navigator’s license and previous experience in instrument flying. Evidence indicated that the pilot had followed the coastline, remaining below the clouds, rather than proceeding on a direct compass course to his destination. Apparently losing sight of land while over the Channel, he may have turned back towards the west in order to once again make visual contact with the coast of England. It was theorized that while in a gradual descent through the mist he failed to distinguish the glassy surface of the water in time to avoid the accident. The crash was believed to have occurred fewer than 10 minutes after a second request from the pilot to Croydon Aerodrome for a position. However, the delay and ultimate failure to provide bearing information was not considered a contributing factor.