No fatalities

Single-engine aircraft crash on takeoff at Middlestone Moor (G-EBWI)

Middlestone Moor, United KingdomTakeoff (climb)

On September 3, 1931, a De Havilland DH.60 Moth (registration G-EBWI) operated by Newcastle-upon-Tyne Aero Club was involved in an aviation accident near Middlestone Moor, United Kingdom during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 5 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 airplane crashed during takeoff in Durham after striking a ground hole, resulting in injuries to both occupants and total loss of the airframe.

What happened

The incident occurred while the single-engine aircraft was attempting to depart from Middlestone Moor in Durham. During the initial climb phase, the airplane struck an unmarked depression or hole in the runway surface. This impact caused the machine to flip over, eventually coming to rest upside down on the ground.

Both individuals aboard the aircraft sustained injuries in the accident. The structural damage to the airframe was severe, rendering it beyond repair and resulting in a total loss of the equipment. The flight crew consisted of one pilot, while the second occupant was a passenger.