On May 3, 1940, a De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide (registration VR-SAV) operated by Wearne’s Air Service was involved in an aviation accident near Rawang, Malaysia in flight. 3 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Loss of control during flight through thunderstorm activity. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).
A single-engine aircraft crashed into a rubber plantation near Rawang while flying from Penang to Singapore. The pilot and two passengers were killed after losing control in severe weather.
What happened
The aircraft departed Penang on a scheduled flight destined for Singapore-Kallang Airport, carrying a total of three occupants aboard. During the cruise phase of the journey, the airplane encountered active thunderstorm cells. While navigating through this turbulent weather, the pilot lost control of the airframe. The uncontrolled descent resulted in a crash at a rubber plantation known as Waterfall Estate, situated near Rawang approximately 30 km north of Kuala Lumpur. The impact caused the complete destruction of the aircraft. All three individuals on board, consisting of the pilot and two passengers, were killed in the accident.
Findings
The immediate cause of the fatal incident was the loss of control while the aircraft was operating within severe thunderstorm activity. No specific mechanical failures or other contributing factors are detailed in the available records beyond the weather conditions and the resulting loss of control.
Probable cause
Loss of control during flight through thunderstorm activity.
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