No fatalities

Single-engine aircraft ditched in English Channel after engine failure (G-ABEP)

The Channel, WorldFlight

On March 7, 1933, a De Havilland DH.60 Moth (registration G-ABEP) operated by British Air Transport - BAT was involved in an aviation accident near The Channel, World in flight. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Engine failure of unknown origin. 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 single-engine aircraft carrying two people experienced an engine failure while crossing the English Channel. The pilot made a forced landing in the water, and both occupants were rescued by a passing Dutch vessel.

What happened

The incident involved a single-engine airplane operating on a taxi flight from Saint-Inglevert to Lympne. The aircraft was carrying one pilot and one passenger when it departed. During the cruise phase over the English Channel, the engine ceased functioning. Faced with this mechanical failure, the pilot executed a ditching maneuver in the sea. Both individuals aboard were subsequently recovered by the crew of the Dutch steamer 'Vespa'. Following the water landing, the aircraft sank and was declared lost.

Findings

The official investigation determined that the accident resulted from an engine failure. The specific origin or root cause of this mechanical issue remained unknown at the time of the findings.

Probable cause

Engine failure of unknown origin