No fatalities

Old Wives Takeoff Accident Involving Single-Engine Aircraft (CF-AGN)

Old Wives, CanadaTakeoff (climb)

On July 4, 1930, a De Havilland DH.60 Moth (registration CF-AGN) operated by J. R. Paget was involved in an aviation accident near Old Wives, Canada during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Loss of control during takeoff resulting in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent ground impact. 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 pilot lost control during takeoff from Old Wives, causing the aircraft to stall and crash into a field. The pilot sustained injuries while the airframe was destroyed by post-crash fire.

What happened

During the initial climb phase following departure from Old Wives, the pilot experienced a loss of control over the aircraft. This event resulted in an aerodynamic stall, causing the airplane to descend rapidly and impact the ground within a nearby field. Upon striking the terrain, the airframe broke apart and immediately caught fire. The post-crash blaze consumed the structure, rendering the aircraft destroyed. The pilot survived the initial impact but sustained injuries during the accident sequence.

Findings

The immediate cause of the crash was identified as a stall occurring shortly after takeoff. The loss of control prevented the pilot from maintaining adequate airspeed and altitude, leading directly to the ground impact. No specific mechanical failures or external hazards were cited in the available records; the incident is characterized primarily by the aerodynamic stall and subsequent fire.

Probable cause

Loss of control during takeoff resulting in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent ground impact.