Surrey

Flight Type:

Military

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Site:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

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Shortly after takeoff from RAF Kenley, while climbing, the engine failed. The aircraft stalled and crashed into trees, bursting into flames. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were seriously injured. The pilot died from his injuries five days later. The aircraft was based at RAF Kenley and operated on behalf of the US Embassy in London.
Crew:
Maj Clarence Leonard Tinker.
Passenger:
Cdr Robert Andrew Burg. †

Probable cause:

Engine failure.

Crash of an Avro 504K in Great Bookham: 3 killed

Date & Time: Sep 2, 1926

Type of aircraft:

Avro 504

Operator:

Stallard Airways

Registration:

G-EASG

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Bognor Regis - Crystal Palace

MSN:

H6543

YOM:

1919

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The pilot was performing a taxi flight from Bognor Regis to Crystal Palace, London. En route, he encountered poor weather conditions and low visibility due to fog. In unknown circumstances, he lost control of the aircraft that crashed in an open field near Great Bookham. The pilot was seriously injured while both passengers were killed. Unfortunately, the pilot died from his injuries in the evening. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire.

Probable cause:

The Air Ministry examination of the machine disclosed the fact that no part of the structure failed in the air and that no defect had developed in the controls before the machine crashed to the ground. The machine burst into flames on hitting the ground when the fuel tank split. The managing director of the company, Mr G.V. Peck, believed the aircraft had probably encountered fog over the North Downs, visibility being down to about 150 feet at that time, and was off its expected course. No mechanical faults were found later after inspection of the wreckage.

Crash of a Sopwith Gnu in Horley

Date & Time: Mar 2, 1926 at 1135 LT

Type of aircraft:

Sopwith Gnu

Operator:

Lloyds Commercial Aircraft Company

Registration:

G-EADB

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

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Site:

MSN:

WO 2976/1

YOM:

1919

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The airplane departed Brooklands for a test flight, carrying two crew members and one passenger. Over the area of Horley, Surrey, while completing a turn to the right, the pilot lost control of the airplane that stalled and crashed in an open field. All three occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

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:

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Schedule:

Croydon - Paris

MSN:

YOM:

1922

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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:

Flight Type:

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Site:

Landing (descent or approach)

Schedule:

Croydon - Paris

MSN:

YOM:

1922

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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 Farman F.60 Goliath in Croydon

Date & Time: Jan 22, 1924

Type of aircraft:

Farman F.60 Goliath

Operator:

Registration:

F-GEAO

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

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Schedule:

Paris - Croydon

MSN:

YOM:

1920

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For unknown reasons, the aircraft landed hard at Croydon Airport. Upon impact, it nosed down before coming to rest, bursting into flames. While all occupants evacuated safely, the aircraft was destroyed by fire. Pilot was Paul Delisle.

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:

Flight Type:

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Site:

Landing (descent or approach)

Schedule:

Croydon - Brussels

MSN:

YOM:

1922

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Crashed shortly after takeoff from Croydon Airport, en route to Brussels. There were no casualties. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Fokker F3 in Croydon

Date & Time: Jul 17, 1923

Type of aircraft:

Fokker F3

Operator:

Registration:

H-NABM

Flight Phase:

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