3 fatalities

Twin-engine aircraft crash in wooded area after stall during initial climb from RAF Finningley (Z7263)

Finningley AFB (Doncaster), United KingdomTakeoff (climb)

On April 11, 1942, a De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide (registration Z7263) operated by Royal Air Force - RAF was involved in an aviation accident near Finningley AFB (Doncaster), United Kingdom during takeoff. 3 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft stalled during the initial climb phase following takeoff, leading to a controlled flight into terrain and subsequent fire. 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.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-08-05Data APIEditorial standards

A twin-engine military aircraft crashed into a wooded area shortly after takeoff from RAF Finningley, resulting in three fatalities and two serious injuries due to a stall in the initial climb phase.

What happened

The incident occurred immediately following departure from RAF Finningley (Doncaster Airport). While executing the initial climb segment of the flight, the twin-engine aircraft experienced an aerodynamic stall. The loss of lift caused the plane to descend rapidly into a nearby wooded area, where it impacted the ground and subsequently caught fire. The post-crash blaze completely destroyed the airframe.

The accident resulted in significant casualties among the occupants. Three passengers lost their lives in the event. Two other individuals on board sustained serious injuries. The source material identifies the crew as belonging to the 4th Squadron, consisting of two pilots and an Air Chief Marshal Second Class (AC2), though specific names are omitted in accordance with privacy guidelines for private individuals.

Findings

The primary mechanical or operational failure identified was a stall occurring during the initial climb phase. This event directly led to the loss of control and the subsequent impact with terrain. The destruction of the aircraft by fire prevented further structural analysis, but the sequence of events confirms that the crash was precipitated by the stall shortly after takeoff.

Probable cause

The aircraft stalled during the initial climb phase following takeoff, leading to a controlled flight into terrain and subsequent fire.