Zone
Middlesex

Crash of a De Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth into the North Sea: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 28, 1933
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth
Operator:
Wilhelm M. Omsted
Registration:
G-ABZM
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Delivery
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Heston – Olso
MSN:
4018
YOM:
1932
Location:
North Sea
All World
Country:
World
Region:
World
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The aircraft was on its delivery flight from Heston to Oslo. While overflying the North Sea, it crashed in unknown circumstances. A piece of a wing was discovered on February 2 but no trace of the wreckage nor the two occupants was ever found.
Crew:
Sigurd J. Aagenaes, pilot.
Passenger:
Wilhelm M. Omsted.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.80 Puss Moth in Devil's Jump: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jul 27, 1932 at 1745 LT
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.80 Puss Moth
Operator:
Brian Lewis & Company
Registration:
G-ABDH
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Heston – Hamble
MSN:
2081
YOM:
1930
Location:
Hindhead
Surrey
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
En route from Heston to Hamble, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with thunderstorm activity and turbulences. The aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in Devil's Jump, near Hindhead. All three occupants were killed.
Crew:
Bruce Bossom, pilot.
Passengers:
Emily Bossom (pilot's mother),
Count Otto Zierbach-Fürsteneau (aka Prince Otto Erbach).
Probable cause:
The aircraft broke up in mid-air and crashed out of control. A wing detached and was later recovered in Thursley. This could suggest the aircraft encountered turbulences and unfavorable conditions that caused the loss of control.

Crash of a Spartan Three Seater I in Stanton: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 21, 1932
Type of aircraft:
Spartan Three Seater I/II
Operator:
Registration:
G-ABTT
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Heston – Norwich
MSN:
64
YOM:
1932
Location:
Stanton
Suffolk
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
En route from Heston to Norwich, while taking part to the 'Morning Post' Air Race, the pilot lost control of the airplane that dove into the ground and crashed into trees near Stanton, Suffolk. The pilot Frank George Gibbons was killed.
Probable cause:
It was believed that the pilot was looking at a map inside the cockpit at the time of the accident. Poor weather conditions may also have contributed to the accident.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.80 Puss Moth in Heston

Date & Time: Apr 1, 1932
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.80 Puss Moth
Operator:
Registration:
G-AAYK
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Positioning
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Croydon - Heston
MSN:
2034
YOM:
1930
Location:
Heston
Middlesex
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The pilot was completing a positioning flight from Croydon to Heston. Upon landing, the airplane veered off runway and came to rest. The pilot was injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.60G Gipsy Moth in Arborfield: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 18, 1931
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.60 Moth
Operator:
Philip Ernest Noble
Registration:
G-EBYK
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Heston – Upavon
MSN:
825
YOM:
1929
Location:
Arborfield
Berkshire
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
While cruising over the region of Wokingham, the engine failed. The pilot lost control of the aircraft that entered a dive and crashed in a field. Both occupants, Mr. Philip Ernest Noble and Mrs. Violet Baring, were killed.
Probable cause:
The cause of the engine failure could not be determined with certainty. Investigators were unable to know who was at control at the time of the accident as both occupants were qualified pilots.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.80A Puss Moth in Verneuil-sur-Avre: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 14, 1931
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.80 Puss Moth
Operator:
Harold Ashley Brock
Registration:
G-ABBH
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Heston – Le Mans
MSN:
2005
YOM:
1930
Location:
Verneuil-sur-Avre
Eure
Country:
France
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
En route from Heston to Le Mans, the aircraft encountered a gale. The pilot lost control of the airplane that dove into the ground and crashed in a field. Both occupants were killed.
Crew:
Harold Ashley Brock, pilot and owner.
Passenger:
John Robertson.
Probable cause:
Loss of control due to gale.
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