On August 21, 1939, a De Havilland DH.60 Moth (registration G-AAAL) operated by Isle of Wight Flying Club was involved in an aviation accident near Sandown, United Kingdom during takeoff. One person was killed. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).
A single-engine aircraft crashed and caught fire immediately after departure, resulting in the death of an instructor and injuries to a student pilot.
What happened
The incident involved a single-engine aircraft that experienced a catastrophic failure during the initial climb phase. Shortly after takeoff, the airframe lost control or suffered a mechanical breakdown, leading to an immediate impact with the ground. Upon collision, the aircraft burst into flames, indicating rapid fire development following the crash.
The accident resulted in significant casualties among the occupants. The student pilot sustained injuries during the event, while the instructor was killed in the line of duty. No specific registration number or aircraft model is provided in the available records for this incident.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 21 Aug 1939 De Havilland DH.60 Moth accident near Sandown, United Kingdom?
A single-engine aircraft crashed and caught fire immediately after departure, resulting in the death of an instructor and injuries to a student pilot.
Were there any fatalities in the 21 Aug 1939 De Havilland DH.60 Moth accident?
The accident was fatal, resulting in 1 fatality.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 21 Aug 1939 involved a De Havilland DH.60 Moth, registration G-AAAL, operated by Isle of Wight Flying Club, at Sandown, United Kingdom.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…