On April 21, 1930, a De Havilland DH.60 Moth (registration G-AALM) operated by Charles R. Parkerson was involved in an aviation accident near Arguel, France in flight. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The crash occurred because the aircraft flew at an unsafe altitude while navigating through foggy conditions with poor visibility. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).
A solo pilot departed Croydon Airport for Australia but encountered fog over northern France. The aircraft flew too low, struck trees, and crashed, resulting in injuries.
What happened
The incident began with a solo departure from Croydon Airport during the morning hours. The intended destination was Australia, marking the start of a long-distance journey. While cruising over the Department of Somme in northern France, the pilot faced degraded visual conditions caused by fog.
Due to these poor visibility circumstances, the aircraft descended to an altitude that was too low for safe flight. Consequently, the airframe impacted trees and crashed into the terrain. The impact resulted in significant structural damage, rendering the aircraft beyond repair. The pilot sustained injuries during the accident.
Probable cause
The crash occurred because the aircraft flew at an unsafe altitude while navigating through foggy conditions with poor visibility.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 21 Apr 1930 De Havilland DH.60 Moth accident near Arguel, France?
A solo pilot departed Croydon Airport for Australia but encountered fog over northern France. The aircraft flew too low, struck trees, and crashed, resulting in injuries.
Were there any fatalities in the 21 Apr 1930 De Havilland DH.60 Moth accident?
No fatalities were recorded in this accident.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 21 Apr 1930 involved a De Havilland DH.60 Moth, registration G-AALM, operated by Charles R. Parkerson, at Arguel, France.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The crash occurred because the aircraft flew at an unsafe altitude while navigating through foggy conditions with poor visibility.
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…