Crash of a Nieuport-Delage NiD-30T in The Channel

Date & Time: Apr 27, 1920
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
F-CGTY
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Paris - Hounslow Heath
MSN:
6526
YOM:
1920
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, departed Paris-Le Bourget on a mail flight to Hounslow Heath, London. While cruising over The Channel, he encountered thick fog when the airplane crashed in the sea in unknown circumstances. The pilot was killed.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.4B in Gorton

Date & Time: Apr 22, 1920 at 1020 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
98
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Bellefonte – Cleveland
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Few minutes after takeoff from Bellefonte, the pilot encountered engine problems. He attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft crashed in a hilly terrain located north of Bellefonte. The pilot was injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
The engine failed in flight following the failure of a connecting rod.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.4 in Bellefonte

Date & Time: Apr 19, 1920
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
91
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The pilot made a flat turn, causing the airplane to fell in spin. Crew fate unknown.

Crash of a Breguet 14 in Almeria

Date & Time: Apr 12, 1920
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The pilot was completing a mail flight from France. Upon landing, the aircraft overturned and came to rest, bursting into flames. While the pilot was injured, the aircraft was destroyed.

Crash of a Curtiss JN-4H in Heller Field: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 11, 1920
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
44
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Heller Field, while climbing, the pilot lost control of the airplane that entered a dive and crashed. The passenger was killed and the pilot was seriously injured. It was reported that the passenger was unauthorized on this flight.

Crash of a Curtiss R-4LM in Camden: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 10, 1920
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
49
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Bustleton – Washington DC
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Bustleton, PA, on a mail flight to Washington DC, carrying one passenger and one pilot. While cruising at an altitude of 1,700 feet, the engine caught fire. The pilot reduced his altitude to attempt an emergency landing but at a height of about 200 feet, the passenger jumped out the aircraft and fell into the ground. The aircraft crash landed and was damaged beyond repair. While the pilot escaped unhurt, the passenger died from his injuries few hours later.
Probable cause:
Engine fire.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.4 in Heller Field: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 30, 1920 at 1445 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
72
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Bellefonte - Heller Field
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, departed Bellefonte, PA, on a mail flight to Heller Field, Newark, NJ. On approach, while completing a circuit to land at an altitude of about 150 feeet and a speed of 80 mph, the single engine airplane collided with the stack of the Tiffany's factory and crashed, bursting into flames. The pilot Harry Conley Sherlock aged 22 was killed.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.4 in Orangeville

Date & Time: Mar 18, 1920
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
105
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The engine failed in flight, forcing the pilot to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft crashed in an open field and came to rest. The pilot was rescued and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.16 off Beachy Head

Date & Time: Mar 18, 1920
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
G-EACT
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Paris - Hounslow Heath
MSN:
DH.16/1
YOM:
1919
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Thew pilot was performing a mail flight from Paris-Le Bourget to Hounslow Heath. While overflying the Channel, he encountered low visibility due to fog and his compass failed. He sighted a boat (SS Selarus) and circled around it to attract attention. Eventually, he ditched the aircraft off the Beachy Head coast, near Eastbourne. He was quickly rescued by the crew of the boat and the aircraft was lost.
Probable cause:
Compass failure in poor weather conditions over the sea.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.4 in New Paris: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 10, 1920
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
65
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Chicago – Cleveland
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, was completing a mail flight. En route, weather conditions worsened and visibility was poor due to fog. The pilot reduced his altitude in an attempt to maintain a visual contact with the ground when the aircraft contacted trees and crashed in a wooded area. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot C. W. Stoner was killed.