On January 11, 1938, a De Havilland DH.60 Moth (registration K1893) operated by Royal Air Force - RAF was involved in an aviation accident near Aden, Yemen in flight. 2 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Structural failure leading to the detachment of both wings during aerobatic maneuvers. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A military trainer aircraft suffered catastrophic structural failure during an aerobatic maneuver near Sheikh Othman, resulting in the loss of both crew members.
What happened
The incident involved a local training flight that departed from Aden-Khormaksar. During the mission, the crew was engaged in aerobatic maneuvers when the aircraft experienced a sudden structural failure. This event caused both wings to detach from the fuselage while the airplane was still in the air. Following the loss of lift and control, the machine entered an uncontrolled dive and impacted the terrain near the district of Sheikh Othman. The crash resulted in the deaths of both crew members.
Findings
Official investigations determined that the accident occurred because both wings detached during flight. This separation was triggered by a structural failure that took place while the aircraft was completing aerobatics.
Probable cause
Structural failure leading to the detachment of both wings during aerobatic maneuvers.
What happened in the 11 Jan 1938 De Havilland DH.60 Moth accident near Aden, Yemen?
A military trainer aircraft suffered catastrophic structural failure during an aerobatic maneuver near Sheikh Othman, resulting in the loss of both crew members.
Were there any fatalities in the 11 Jan 1938 De Havilland DH.60 Moth accident?
The accident was fatal, resulting in 2 fatalities.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 11 Jan 1938 involved a De Havilland DH.60 Moth, registration K1893, operated by Royal Air Force - RAF, at Aden, Yemen.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
Structural failure leading to the detachment of both wings during aerobatic maneuvers.
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