1923 Daimler Airway de Havilland DH.34 crash
{{Short description|Aircraft accident in England}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2011}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Infobox Aircraft occurrence
|name = 1923 Daimler Airway de Havilland DH.34 crash
|occurrence_type = Accident
|image = DH34 Biplane 1.jpg
|image_size = 250px
|alt = De Havilland DH.34
|caption = De Havilland DH.34, similar to the accident aircraft
|date = {{start date|df=yes|1923|9|14}}
|type = Pilot error, stall
|site = Ivinghoe, Buckinghamshire, England
|coordinates = {{coord|51.836384|-0.626118|display=inline,title}}
|aircraft_type = de Havilland DH.34
|aircraft_name =
|operator = Daimler Airway
|tail_number = G-EBBS
|origin = Croydon Airport, Surrey
|destination = Alexandra Park Aerodrome, Manchester, Lancashire
|passengers = 3
|crew = 2
|fatalities = 5
|survivors = 0
}}
The 1923 Daimler Airway de Havilland DH.34 crash occurred on 14 September 1923 when a de Havilland DH.34 of Daimler Airway operating a scheduled domestic passenger flight from Croydon to Manchester crashed at Ivinghoe, Buckinghamshire, England, killing all five people on board.
Aircraft
The accident aircraft was de Havilland DH.34 G-EBBS, c/n 29. It had entered service with Daimler Hire Limited on 6 March 1922.{{cite web |url=http://www.goldenyears.ukf.net/reg_G-E2.htm |title=Civil Aircraft Register – Great Britain, page 3 |publisher=Golden Years of Aviation |accessdate=5 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110204222545/http://www.goldenyears.ukf.net/reg_G-E2.htm |archive-date=4 February 2011 |url-status=dead }}
Accident
The flight was a scheduled domestic passenger flight from Croydon to Manchester. It was also reported to be carrying mail, although this was later denied by the General Post Office. While flying over Buckinghamshire, a storm was encountered. Witnesses stated that an engine stopped, but was then restarted. It appeared to them that an emergency landing was going to be made at Ford End, Ivinghoe when the aircraft dived to the ground and crashed at Ivinghoe. The accident happened at about 18:05. The wreckage came to rest upside down, with both crew and all three passengers being killed. One witness reported hearing a violent explosion, but was not sure whether this was before the aircraft crashed or as a result of the crash.{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Air Mail Disaster |date=15 September 1923 |page=8 |issue=43447 |column=D}}
Villagers extricated the victims from the wreckage. The deceased were taken to Ivinghoe Town Hall pending an inquest by the coroner. As a result of the crash, Daimler Airway temporarily suspended their service between Croydon and Manchester, due to having no aircraft to operate it.{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=The Ivinghoe Air Disaster |date=17 September 1923 |page=14 |issue=43448 |column=D}}
The inquest opened on 17 September at Ivinghoe Town Hall. Evidence was given that the pilot was experienced, having flown for 755 hours,{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Air Mail Disaster |date=25 September 1923 |page=7 |issue=43455 |column=B}} and that the aircraft was airworthy on departure from Croydon. It was carrying an adequate supply of fuel, having departed Croydon with {{convert|73|impgal|L}} of fuel against an estimated consumption of around {{convert|50|impgal|L}}. The aircraft could carry eight passengers, but as only three were on board {{convert|400|lb|kg}} of ballast was carried, as well as a quantity of mail. Witnesses reported that the aircraft stalled before crashing. The inquest was adjourned until 24 September.{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Ivinghoe Air Accident |date=18 September 1923 |page=9 |issue=43449 |column=A, B}}
At the resumed inquest, further evidence was given in respect of the ballast, which comprised a sack of sand weighing {{convert|350|lb|kg}} and a large stone weighing about {{convert|50|lb|kg}}. It was stated that the ballast was packed in such a way that it would not have moved in flight. The jury returned a verdict of "Accidental death" on all five victims. They agreed with the Coroner's suggestion that reports on investigations into aircraft accidents should be made available to the public, as was then the case with reports into railway accidents. This was something that The Times had called for in its issue of 19 September 1923, citing this accident and one that had occurred the previous month at East Malling, Kent.{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Investigation Of Air Accidents |date=19 September 1923 |page=7 |issue=43450 |column=F}}
Investigation
An investigation was opened into the accident by the Accidents Investigation Branch of the Air Ministry, with Major Cooper in charge. The investigation concluded that the accident was caused by pilot error. The aircraft had stalled while a precautionary landing was being attempted.{{cite journal |title=Air Accident at Ivinghoe |journal=Flight |issue=29 November 1923 |page=732 |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1923/1923%20-%200732.html}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Aviation accidents and incidents in the 1920s|year=1923}}
{{Aviation accidents and incidents in the United Kingdom in the 1920s}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Daimler Airway de Havilland DH.34 crash}}
Category:Aviation accidents and incidents in 1923
Category:Aviation accidents and incidents in England
Category:Airliner accidents and incidents caused by pilot error
Category:Disasters in Buckinghamshire
Category:Transport in Buckinghamshire
Category:20th century in Buckinghamshire
Category:1923 disasters in the United Kingdom
Category:Airliner accidents and incidents in the United Kingdom