1 fatality

Solo Flight Crash in Thames Estuary Near Grain Island (G-AAKX)

Isle of Grain, United KingdomFlight

On June 1, 1933, a De Havilland DH.60 Moth (registration G-AAKX) operated by Gravesend School of Flying was involved in an aviation accident near Isle of Grain, United Kingdom in flight. One person was killed. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-08-04Data APIEditorial standards

A single-engine aircraft departed Gravesend for a solo flight but crashed into the Thames Estuary off Grain Island, resulting in the loss of the pilot and the airframe.

What happened

The incident involved a solo flight that originated at Gravesend. During the journey, the aircraft encountered unknown difficulties leading to a crash in the water. The impact occurred within the Thames Estuary, specifically off the coast near Grain Island. Following the accident, search efforts failed to locate any debris or human remains. Consequently, the wreckage and the pilot were declared lost without trace.

Findings

The specific circumstances leading to the loss of the aircraft remain unknown. No definitive cause was established in the available records, as the physical evidence required for a detailed investigation was not recovered from the site.