Brussels | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The aircraft was on its way from Croydon to Brussels-Haren Airport, a daily mail service, with a crew of two on board. While overflying The Channel, the aircraft caught fire and crashed in the sea some 6 km off Calais, France. The crew of a tug-boat named 'Champion' arrived on the scene but found only some debris floating on water and no trace of both crew members who were later considered as deceased.
Crew:
Lt Paul Delsenne, pilot
Raymond Rijckers, mechanic.

French pilot Delsenne was a freelance in the Belgian aviation since July 1920 and this was his last official flight as he should join the Armée de l'Air in Châteauroux on 01SEP1921. On his side, Raymond Rijckers was a young mechanic aged 21 and should obtain his pilot licence in a short time.

Probable cause:

A loss of control following an in-flight fire.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.9 in Paris

Date & Time: Apr 13, 1921

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.9

Operator:

Registration:

O-BATE

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Postal (mail)

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Brussels - Paris

YOM:

1921

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Crashed on final approach to Paris-Le Bourget Airport following an uneventful flight from Brussels. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was injured. The aircraft was officially registered on the Belgium CAA the day prior to the accident.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.4 in Croydon

Date & Time: Feb 26, 1921

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.4

Operator:

Registration:

O-BABI

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Croydon - Brussels

MSN:

H5925

YOM:

1920

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from Croydon Airport, while on a cargo flight to Brussels, the aircraft stalled and crashed in an open field. The pilot was slightly injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.4A in Folkestone: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 25, 1921 at 1433 LT

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.4

Operator:

Registration:

O-BAIN

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Croydon - Brussels

MSN:

H5915

YOM:

1920

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The pilot Prosper Georges was performing a cargo flight from Croydon to Brussels on behalf of SNETA, the Syndicat National pour l'Étude du Transport Aérien. The aircraft departed Croydon Airport at 1343LT and continued towards the east. While approaching The Channel, the visibility dropped due to mist and the pilot decided to return. During the last turn, the aircraft hit a hill near the pub called 'The Valiant Sailor' and crashed. The pilot was seriously injured and died from his injuries three days later.

Probable cause:

The Investigation Report for the incident says that the cargo was a mere 8.5lbs in weight and 150lbs of ballast. Mons.George was a very experienced pilot and had flown that type of aircraft on the same route many times before. O-BAIN was seen approaching the Dover-Folkestone road from the west and was dimly seen passing just over the roof of a farmhouse. It then turned to starboard, towards rising ground, and crashed in a field 546 feet above sea level. Just before impact it was noted that the engine appeared to be running satisfactorily. Examination of the wrecked Airco showed that the starboard plane had struck the ground first, an interplane and part of the bottom wing tip being embedded in the earth. From that point to where the main wreckage lay, a distance of 90 yards, the collapse of the parts of the machine could be traced from the marks on the ground. The entire fuselage was shattered as far back as the passengers cabin. All control cables were found to be intact and in serviceable condition. The accident was blamed on poor visibility.

Source: ASN.