2 fatalities

Fatal training crash due to wing separation at Stag Lane Airport (G-EBYD)

Stag Lane (Edgware), United KingdomFlight

On August 3, 1928, a De Havilland DH.60 Moth (registration G-EBYD) operated by London Aeroplane Club was involved in an aviation accident near Stag Lane (Edgware), United Kingdom in flight. 2 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The accident was caused by the failure of a wing structure while the aircraft was performing an aerobatic maneuver. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 2 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 local training flight ended in a fatal crash when a wing detached during an aerobatic maneuver, killing both pilots on board the aircraft.

What happened

The incident occurred while the crew was conducting a local training flight out of Stag Lane Airport. At an altitude of approximately 1,000 feet, the aircraft was executing a looping maneuver when a structural failure occurred. One wing detached from the airframe, causing the plane to lose control and dive into the ground. The wreckage came to rest in a field situated about three miles from the airport. Post-accident investigation revealed that the separated wing had landed roughly half a mile away from the main debris field. Both individuals on board were killed in the impact.

Findings

Official investigations determined that the immediate cause of the accident was wing failure in flight. The structural integrity of the wing could not withstand the loads imposed during the aerobatic maneuver, leading to its detachment and subsequent loss of control.

Probable cause

The accident was caused by the failure of a wing structure while the aircraft was performing an aerobatic maneuver.