1 fatality

Twin-engine aircraft shot down near Ribadesella during positioning flight (F-AQCS)

Ribadesella, SpainFlight

On September 7, 1937, an Airspeed AS.6 Envoy (registration F-AQCS) operated by Air Pyrénées was involved in an aviation accident near Ribadesella, Spain in flight. One person was killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft was shot down by a Nationalist Air Force fighter. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 3 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-08-04Data APIEditorial standards

A twin-engine airplane was shot down by a Nationalist Air Force fighter while approaching Ribadesella, resulting in the death of the sole pilot on board.

What happened

The incident involved a twin engine aircraft operating as a single-occupant positioning flight. The pilot departed from Biarritz-Parme Airport with the intention of traveling to Spain. During the approach phase near the area of Ribadesella, the aircraft came under fire from a Nationalist Air Force fighter. The hostile action resulted in the immediate destruction of the plane, which crashed shortly after being hit. The pilot was killed in the event.

Findings

Official investigations concluded that the accident was caused by the aircraft being targeted and destroyed by enemy military forces. The primary factor leading to the loss of the aircraft and the fatality was the direct engagement by a fighter jet belonging to the Nationalist Air Force.

Probable cause

The aircraft was shot down by a Nationalist Air Force fighter.