No fatalities

Biggin Hill Airport Emergency Landing After Takeoff (G-ASDD)

Biggin Hill, United KingdomTakeoff (climb)

On April 18, 1975, a De Havilland DH.104 Dove (registration G-ASDD) operated by Haywards Aviation was involved in an aviation accident near Biggin Hill, United Kingdom during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft failed to gain sufficient altitude after takeoff from Biggin Hill Airport, striking tree tops. The crew completed a downwind circuit and made an emergency landing with no injuries, but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Incident Overview Following takeoff from Biggin Hill Airport, the aircraft failed to achieve adequate altitude and collided with tree tops situated beyond the runway end. The flight crew managed to complete a downwind circuit and returned to the airport for an emergency landing. No injuries were reported during the incident. However, the aircraft sustained damage that was assessed as beyond repair, resulting in a total loss of the airframe. The specific aircraft type, registration, operator, and exact date of the incident are not provided in the source material. This event highlights the critical importance of immediate decision-making and emergency procedures in aviation safety, particularly during the takeoff phase when altitude and performance are paramount.