Wilfred Theodore Blake | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The British Major Wilfred Theodore Blake was trying to complete one of the first World Tour. Last May, he crashed with his DH.9 in Marseille but continued with this Fairey IIIC. The airplane departed the east coast of India bound to Chittagong. While cruising off the West Bengal State, the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances in the sea off Sagar. All three occupants were rescued and the aircraft was lost.
Crew:
Norman MacMillan, pilot,
Wilfred Theodore Blake, copilot and navigator,
Colonel L. E. Broome, photographer.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.9C in Marseille

Date & Time: May 28, 1922

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.9

Operator:

Wilfred Theodore Blake

Registration:

G-EBDE

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

City

Schedule:

Lyon - Marseille

MSN:

H5738

YOM:

1922

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

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Circumstances:

The crew was engaged in a world tour and departed Lyon in the morning bound to Marseille. The aircraft overflew Marseille downtown and the crew was forced to make an emergency landing, most probably because lost or due to fuel exhaustion. The aircraft crashed in the Parc Borély located south of the city. While all three occupants were uninjured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. It was planned that the crew should land in Marseille but he was not aware that the airport deserving this city was located in Istres, some 50 km northeast of the final position.
Crew:
Captain Norman McMillan, pilot
Major W. T. Blake, copilot and navigator.
Passenger:
Colonel L. E. Broome, photograph.